Hiking at Matthiesen State Park

Since Charissa is leaving in a week to head back to college, we decided to go to one of her favorite places here in Illinois - Matthiesen State Park.  It is about a two hour drive from our house but has always been worth the drive.  We packed a lunch and headed out with a promise of gorgeous weather perfect for hiking.

Tired before the hike ever began

Eric is ready to go ...

  
Eric was excited to bring his own backpack for hiking.  Yeah, that excitement died within the first three minutes of the hike, and Charissa carried it for 99% of the hike.  Eric did want it back at lunch time. Eric loved hiking.  He loves the outdoors period and was quite the trooper.  He did snitch a piggy-back ride up the flights of stairs - don't blame him there as some flights were quite long and steep.

Although we have had severe drought lately, the recent storms helped green up things and made for some beautiful nature shots.  It also created some puddles for getting wet and water fights.  The water was still low enough that the easier trails were accessible which made it easier on the younger kids and out-of-shape moms.

Let's Hike!

 

Jonathan doing some exploring

Clint and Eric enjoying the view

Joanna and Cara

Jonathan and Oren climbing and trying not to fall into the water below

  

Oren was King of the Rock until Charissa the Queen came along and showed him who was boss.

   

    

Kalynne tried to use a staff to part the waters on the bridge.

Enjoying a treat  ... It was National Soft Serve Ice Cream Day afterall.

Life Happens

Geez, it has been a while since I posted anything. There has been plenty going on though, mundane along with the not so mundane. Where to begin?

The weather can't decide if it wants to be Spring or Winter. I am just glad for our new sump what with the rain and thawing we have been having. It has most likely saved us a few wet floors in the basement. Thank goodness for tax refunds that can pay for it too.

Thank goodness for tax refunds that can cover the loss of income from a temporary lay-off too. All those kids and deductions can come in handy. It seems that Clint gets to take a week off of work and not be paid for it. It most likely will be two, but at least it won't be back-to-back ... sort of. The first one is at the end of March. We had just bought a trip to Branson for a 15th anniversary get-away. We were going to take it when the kids had Spring Break. We are going to go when Clint doesn't have to work now. We found a sitter and made our reservations. Something good besides the enormous amount of yard clean-up has to happen that week.

We also bought a porch swing. We have only been here 6 years. We finally found the right one. We ordered it, and it will be ready in time for Mother's Day. You know where to find me (with my nose in a book) this summer.

Eric is quite the chatterbox now. He has plenty of examples around here. He can say school (when he sees the bus come and the kids get on). There is thank you, welcome, bye-bye, night, and what's that? as well. Oh, I am "mom" now unless Eric is showing his imp-ish sense of humor. Then he goes around the house calling every dad and just laughing about it. I get "What!?" when I call his name. That is also due to the plenty of examples around here. I heard him say stuck the other day as well. He can also say Charissa's and Kaly's names or at least an understandable variation.

I am surprised I don't hear stuck more often as Eric is a climber. I am always have to rescue him. He loves water too. Toilet seats have to stay down and bath tubs emptied. I found out the hard way about the tubs when I found towels, blankets, clothes, toys, and a couple of pillows thrown in the water.

Scholastic Bowl season is wrapping up. Charissa did well as JV captain. Kalynne has her last meet this coming week. both girls love it and earn their team plenty of points.

Oren didn't make it to state for his National Geographic Geography Bee. The poor kid was so heartbroken. He studied really hard too. We are all smarter now, because he shared all his information with us.

Joanna busted her chin open in PE a couple of weeks ago. It is to match the back of her head, I guess. She also was out this past week for three days with a bug that just made you feel yucky and lethargic with a low grade fever.

Jonathan had Pinewood Derby last month but didn't win any races. He was so bummed, and then broke his trophy since he won a specialty category. It was just not his night. He is looking forward to summer camp so I better get him signed-up!

Cara has stayed free of injury, illness and disappointment unless you count having been made to practice piano. She is struggling with that right now. I get to teach her as her dad is about as exasperated as she is.

I am staying busy with PTO (finished one project last week and moving on to the next, a fundraiser next week). Church keeps me going too. What with my responisibilities, the activities and everyone else's responsibilities and activities ... ugh! Okay, it is not bad just busy. I also pamper myself by working out three times a week. I started attending Curves. So far the effort has paid off with 11.5 pounds and 14 total inches lost. The photo from Thanksgiving was motivation and a shocker about how I let the weight creep back on again. I actually enjoy exercise or maybe it is the me time. A friend watches Eric 2 hours twice a week so I can workout and run errands during the week. I also go Saturday mornings. I try to squeeze in walks the other days. hopefully the weather will decide on sunny spring days so it is possible.

Now I better get to bed. I just realized I had typed this entire rambling news bit in my cooking blog. Thank goodness for copy and paste!

Must be all the wind ...

It swept me away. That is why I have been absent from my posting. Actually it is the whirlwind of activities that have happened in the last 3 weeks. The wind is strong and bitterly cold enough though right now to sweep you away.

For Thanksgiving we all travelled out to SE Utah to see family and spend Thanksgiving week. The kids thought missing two days of school was an early Christmas gift. For the week before I was busy cleaning, washing clothes, packing and taking care of obligations I have at church and with our school's PTO.

Then there was the travelling. We left Friday (21st) about 5 p.m. and drove into Iowa. We took off the next morning to be hit with a snow storm on I-80. The snow was creating icy and slick roads. Some of the kids thought Dad was just being cool by swerving all over the road. I was trying to not have a full-blown anxiety attack. We made it through the storm and had good weather, perfect travelling weather in fact, the rest of the way. We arrived in Utah early Sunday evening. That many hours with that many people smashed together in a van and hotel rooms gets old fast.

While the kids had grandma and grandpa all to themselves, we rode the four wheelers, went hiking to see ruins and had a picnic at the sand dunes. I was dumping sand out of jeans for days. On Wednesday, everyone started showing up. The excitement of the evening is when Joanna split the back of her head open. There is no hospital in hubby's small hometown, and the urgent care was closed early. Super Glue, butterfly bandages and a trained Brother-in-law go a long to fixing up a distraught little 5 year old.

Joanna didn't even know she split her head open. She was trying to get outside to be with her cousins when the door handle came off in her hand. She fell. She was more upset she broke grandpa's door. It was her uncle that noticed the blood running down the back of her head. I think it was the mention of staples that made her hysterical.

For Thanksgiving we packed 35 people in one large room. It was full of fun, food and laughs. We had a family white elephant gift exchange later followed by games. The major entertainment for the young kids was taking a foam mattress down the stairs at grandma's house. Joanna tried to get back into the game after we patched her up, but I was a meanie and made her wait until the following day.

Joanna was the only major injury. Hubby was sure there would be one with Cara on the four-wheeler. It amazes me that the child that tattles on every little slight can be so fearless when it comes to rides and roller coasters. Cara was driving with Clint riding on the same four-wheeler behind her. She took a corner a bit fast and had two wheels off the ground. She laughed, and her daddy informed her to slow down. I think he invoked a speed limit after that. ;)

Coming home we took the I-40 route home since I-80 through the mountains in Colorado was going to be in poor travelling condition. We didn't need a fishtailing van on mountain roads as the flat roads occurrence was scary enough. That lengthened our trip home a bit. We avoided snow until our last day which was spent the entire day (8 hours of driving) in it.

Once we got home, we stretched our limbs and enjoyed our rooms and own beds. The next few days were catch up with laundry, unpacking, doctor appointments and all of our normal obligations. Things are still slowly returning to normal or what is normal around here for us.

Pictures will be posted soon throughout next week.

She Has It Covered

Last night we went to a school board meeting. As part of a new tradition, a few elementary students are asked to share some of their work at the beginning of the board meeting. Cara along with two of her classmates were given the honor of being the first ones to kick this off. They also led everyone in the Pledge of Allegience.

As we started the pledge, I looked over at Joanna. She switched her hands a couple of times trying to remember which one went to her chest. I watched her shrug to herself before putting both hands on her chest. I guess she figured one had to be correct.

Things Gone Bad ...

A field trip gone bad ...

A driving lesson in parking gone bad ...

A home repair project gone bad ...

Cyclops

So I have no picture which would make it even funnier. I was going outside to hang clothes on our clothes since the day is just gorgeous. I glanced at Cara and Joanna who were busy eating lunch at the table (they have today off from school). I did a double-take. Each one of them had huge goggly eye stuck to their foreheads.

I guess they got into the craft bin I keep for the days I hear "I'm bored!" or rainy days or too hot days or ... you get the idea. They stuck one of the eyes to their forehead because they asked, "What?" when I shook my head and sighed. The lightbulb went off though as they reached for the forehead at same time. I was rewarded with a couple of cheesy grins.

Cheap entertainment, I guess. Speaking of cheap entertainment, I had to go to the elementary school Thursday to set up lunch for the teachers. The PTO provides lunch for the teachers on conference days which was Thursday (we did breakfast for them this morning). I had to take Eric with me as school wasn't out quite yet. He wasn't a happy camper especially when I put him down in the school office. I managed to get him quiet and ran out to my car for the last load of stuff.

When I came in, the office staff asked where Eric went. I said he was still in here. They asked what I did to get him quiet. A pacifier, perhaps? No. I had to confess. I put a visitor sticker on each of Eric's thighs. He was busy trying to get them off and quite content (until I pulled them off for him).

Yeah, sticky things are great entertainment. That 80 cent roll of tape can amuse most children for quite a while. It has foiled many a fits too to have a piece of tape stuck to the nose.

Pictures of the Past Week

Eric has a new love, Oreos. Unlike his mama who eats Oreos just by mouth, Eric also ingests by osmosis.

Toothless in Illinois, Cara lost her first tooth on her own. She has lost her two bottom teeth, but they had to be pulled because of permanent teeth already in place. You'd think the tooth fairy would remember to visit. Hubby says we need to fire our tooth fairy. At least she is fair and pays interest.

We have two playing soccer this year, Cara and Joanna. Joanna is into it more than Cara who aims an occassional kick in the direction of the ball. Joanna is more gung-ho sometimes overly but it makes for amusing entertainment.

Five year-olds and Fireflies

Hubby and I were returning from a quick errand trip into town. When we drove up the driveway, we saw our two youngest girls in the front yard with big red drinking cups. They saw some of the first fireflies of the season so were outside trying to catch them.

When we asked Joanna (5) if she was catching fireflies she replied a bit down-hearted that she was. When we asked what was wrong, she informed us that she clapped her hands (showing us as she told us about it) too hard and squished her firefly. Hubby and I started laughing quietly at her poor face. Joanna told us she had caught it once but let it go. "I accidently squished it when I caught it again. Like this ... *claps hands* ."

Hopefully Joanna will have better luck next time although maybe it is the fireflies I should be wishing luck.

Thoughts and Rambles

Sometimes what is said is not what is really meant. My 5th grader (Kalynne) had a play. The entire 5th grade put on various Aesop's Fables. I planned to make the 9 a.m. show, but had the 1 p.m. one as a back up. It was a good thing since I missed the 9 a.m. one. I showed up a few minutes late but just in time to see Kalynne's parts. Kalynne told me that I didn't have to come if I was too busy. I am glad I did because after she left the stage I saw her scanning the crowd from the wings. I was at the back so she couldn't see me. I saw her shoulders droop a little.

About halfway through the plays when another 5th grade class was performing their chosen fables, Eric started fussing so I stood up with him. Kalynne heard him and turned to scan the crowd on the other side of the theater. She found me, and her smile said it all. It said, "I know I told you you didn't have to come, but I am really glad you since that is what I wanted. Thanks, Mom."

My kids like to perform. They love the theatrics and drama. They must since they practice it all the time at home. Joanna had her chance to shine too. On her last day of pre-school a Mother's Tea was put on by the class. The children greet their mother's at the door and show them to their seats. They then take their drink order and serve their mothers. It is quite cute. There are gifts the children made. They love to help open them. Next comes the performance of songs and rhymes. Joanna kept making sure I was watching. When I would wink at her, she would wink back. The Mother's Tea is then finished with the handing out of certificates for those moving up to kindergarten.

I was watching one little boy sitting forlornly waiting for his mother. She was running late, and the look of relief on his face when she arrived was similar to the one I saw on Kalynne's at her play. The little boy, Hunter, is also Joanna's shadow and playmate. The teacher said he was rather wild when the year began, but Joanna was a big help in mellowing him out. I think that is the polite way of saying she put him in his place.

Children are so trusting which makes their naivety really fun at times. Oren told me that he asked his dad why it is called the "Birds & Bees". Supposedly his dad told him it is because birds and bees don't get along just like males and females. Oren had to check that bit of information with me. Usually I am the story-teller and get away with it since I have the better poker face. After 14+ years of marriage though my hubby is getting better. It is just that darn dimple that gives him away if he is up to some mischief. I am usually the practical joker too. I figure a bit of fun makes my day go by faster. Besides I consider it payback for giving birth, nursing, changing diapers and potty-training the li'l hoppers. And that is just by age three and not taking in the teenage hormone years.

Go, Mom, Go!

Okay if you have never read Dr. Suess' "Go, Dog, Go!", you have no idea what the title means or even caught the try at a joke. It has been all of my kids' favorite book. Well, maybe except Joanna but only because our copy died. After countless readings, our copy was falling apart and 5 times the thickness when we first bought it. We couldn't let Joanna not be exposed to the book so found a copy at the library (really gotta buy another). I am happy to say the tradition lives on.

My children are quite the backseat drivers. Something about getting driving advice from little people who can't even reach the pedals is rather annoying. My children see no need for stopping at red lights. When I do, I am told to go. So I quote from the above mentioned book -- "Stop, Dog! Stop! The light is red now." When it turns green, the kids say, "Go, Dog, Go! The light is green now."

The is nothing about yellow lights in the book. That is okay though. Joanna knows what those mean. As I was driving the other day, the light turned yellow right before I got to the intersection. Joanna pipes up from her carseat, "That means speed up, Mom!" LOL!

So red is stop. Green means go, and yellow means go faster. She might not reach the pedals yet, but at least Joanna knows that much about driving.

Full Moon While the Sun Shines

There really is never a dull moment around here. Let me illustrate by telling a favorite blackmail story from last summer ...

The little girls have been asking to swim in their little wading pool all day. It had been raining off and on all day so I told them when the sun comes out. At about 5 p.m. the sun showed itself so I let the girls go out. Joanna couldn't find her swimsuit and announced she would swim in her panties and shirt. I thought nothing more of it until dh came home. I could hear the girls playing and was rather irked when he sent an older kid to get me. He asked me if I knew what my girls were doing. I was about to snap at him when I turned and saw what my (why are they mine when they are causing mischief?) girls were doing. They had put their Little Tike slide halfway in the pool so they could slide into the water. Well, the sun wasn't the only thing showing itself. Joanna decided swimming in the buff was better. I see her naked little butt go down the slide. Of course, my first reaction was to bust out laughing. Dh (who was trying not to laugh himself) scolded me and said people at the park could see her. Eh, no one was at the park so we let her have her fun.

hmmm ... you know what the funny thing is? I've never been skinny-sipping but dh has. I wonder whose little girl Joanna really is!

Why 4 year-olds shouldn't go shoppping ...

My darling 4 year old had the day off from pre-school on Friday. I had some money burning a hole in my pocket. We loaded up the car and went shopping. Shopping isn't bad but clothes shopping is especially when it means trying on clothes.

First there is the cramming-the-cart-loaded-with-two-kids-into-the-dressing-room obstacle. Check. Then comes the trying on the clothes-that-look-good-on-the-rack-but-think-twice-about-it-doing-the-same-for-you obstacle. Check. The most mortifying is the loud-mouth-announce-to-the-world-your-mother-is-undressing-four-year-old obstacle. Check.

There is nothing like hearing, "Oh yuck! I see your boobs!" yelled by your child in a voice that can rival the sound system in the store. You then sound like a snake hissing out orders to be quiet.

To make the crammed dressing room more fun is having a nursing baby with you. The said baby gets excited when he sees your shirt lift thinking it is time to eat. So you have to manuever out of site of the baby as well as the 4 year-old or the baby's cries at being tricked will rival that personal PA system you claim as your child.

Since I can be a slow learner, I went to not one or even two stores but three. I must be a glutton for punishment. At least I found an outfit that looked as good on me as it did on the rack. It was almost worht it.

Joanna

Joanna is my sixth child. She is a petite thing. The only thing petite though is her size. Her screams and fits when she doesn't get her way are large and loud. She has a pair of pajamas that read, "If all else fails, turn on the charm." Joanna can turn on the charm by batting her big brown eyes. She can roll them like a pro if you exasperate her too. Another thing about Joanna that isn't petite is her self-confidence.

A month ago as Joanna brushed her hair to get ready for school, she told me why she needs to brush it. Good hygiene? Nope! "So the boys will chase me and *kiss, kiss* (making the sound)." I shut my mouth which had dropped open. I did open it long enough to tell Joanna that she isn't supposed to kiss boys. She reassured me that she won't be kissing any boys, but they'll kiss her. I guess there is a difference, but not if Dad has anything to say about it.

It seems Joanna is sweet on a boy (or two). I've seen a couple sweet on her too. So Clint and I had a talk with Joanna that pre-school is really too young to be kissing guys or thinking of marriage (she brought that up too). I've always said that Joanna will be the child to give me gray hairs. At least I can rest assured she has a nice dose of self-confidence (and they make products to cover up the gray).

Stuck

"Daddy, I stuck!" That was my oldest's first sentence. She was trying to squirm out of her carseat in a Houdini wanna-be attempt at freedom. She just managed to get herself stuck.

I heard screams of being stuck this morning. This time it was from the four year old. She was not a happy camper. That made it all the funnier which is why I grabbed the camera before rescuing her.



Oh, if looks could kill. She is really good in the dirty looks department. It seems dirty boots too. She wanted to go sledding but stepped off the porch into the quagmire. I did pull her free with boots attached even. She still hates that I took the picture.