Guard Dog
We went on our evening walk tonight. I'm not sure how much land the owner here has, but we haven't hit a fence yet, and we keep walking in different directions. Tonight was our most eventful walk. Both dogs joined us. Ladybug is our young, hyper terrier. Dagny is our laid back, old, slow dog. Ladybug runs ahead, sometimes with the boys. Dagny hangs out with the adults. Well, today, Ladybug disappeared. Later, we heard her barking on our way back towards the house. Insane barking. We thought she might be in trouble.
Nope. It was a dead turtle. She approached it slowly... jumping the entire time, like it was going to attack her. Barked more. And more.
I have no photos. Just memories, of our crazy dog, protecting us from a dead turtle.
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Vacation preparation
We missed vacation last year. We did get to go to Lake of the Ozarks, and a touristy Kansas City trip, but our big vacation was canceled, due to us moving.
This year, we're not missing it. We're planning on going to the NFL Hall of Fame, Hershey Park, Cuyahoga National Park, Scranton (where The Office is!), Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and just today, we decided to add Hilton Head, SC. It will take us about 1 1/2 weeks. Most of our hotels are already paid for. We're going to camp at some of the spots. We'll eat out of a cooler. We are masters of frugal vacations.
We took a walk this evening, starting the process of getting our bodies ready for fun fun fun times. We also will start having themed Friday nights, based around our trip. You will just have to wait and see what those entail. The first one will be this Friday.
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Living Book Report
When I was in fifth grade, I had to do a living book report. Pay a quarter, and I tell you the report. Now that Alex is in the same school, fifth grade, HE got to do a living book report!
He was such a nice kid, when it was assigned. He came home, and said that he was willing to read a Harry Potter book, and use Jonas' costume from halloween, so it would be no extra work for me. My kind of kid.
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All the right reasons
We're back in Manhattan for the weekend. We feel so lucky to have such a huge family for the kids to soak up and enjoy. Sure, we've made some mistakes in the parenting world (although I can't think of any right now), we have always made sure that the boys are surrounded by their grandparents.
I went by the house, to fix a light fixture. I made sure all of the windows were still locked, and did a walk of the yard, to make sure all was ok. I do not enjoy this house selling process one little bit. Not at all. Never again, will we do this. Ever.
But, I do not regret our decision. We have done it for a reason. I look forward to when both sets of grandparents are close by, only that will make it perfect. When our kids decide to go to K-State, we'll probably still own a house in the area for them. Handy.
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Traditions
A year or so ago, Jared started ready the Harry Potter series to the boys. It was a hit. He did fancy voices and everything. Then, 7 books later, it ended. He's read several other books to them, but I think all of them (Jared included) missed the series aspect.
Then, one day, Caleb asked how to play spades. I should mention, Jared majored in spades his first time through college. He played many, many hours in the lobby. He tells people, he married me, because I was a great spades partner. I, personally, always thought he was carrying me, in the game, but oh well, I'll take the compliment.
So, Jared taught Caleb. Caleb taught his brothers. Now we play every night. We have been for probably a month. Every night. We've raised quite the spades players. They even beat Jared and myself sometimes.
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Daylight
Daylight savings time got me up way too early yesterday morning. I counteracted this problem by taking a nap. This caused me to stay up to late, then, again this morning, it was dark out as my annoying alarm clock was beeping.
I spent most of my day yawning, upset about the terrible people that made me change my clocks. I considered taking a nap again today, knowing it would mess up my schedule, but oh how nice it would feel.
Then, after I got home, I sat down and relaxed. I swear, I only sat for about 15 minutes, when I realized it was 6pm. I needed to start dinner! But, it was so BRIGHT outside. I felt like I had all of this bonus time on my hands! After dinner, my new enthusiasm for my day took me on a walk. We've been granted permission to walk on all over this farm, so I headed out to try to find the creek. It was a muddy walk to get there, but well worth it. The dog and I had a grand old time, and enjoyed our evening walking.
I'm tired again though.
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Life lessons
I learned a few things Wednesday evening.
*side note. Everyone and everything is fine. The fire went out. Dinner was still served. Jared was even kind, and didn't make fun of the fact that this meal caused TWO smoke detectors to go off. A new record.
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Happy Birthday Alex!
It's my little boy's birthday! Today he turns 11. He's always been a wonderful easy going kid (well, he screamed most of his first three months... but then... easy going!)
He picked Independence Center food court for his birthday meal. The boys each got a free pokemon for their ds at the game store, which they tell me is very exciting. We rode the escalators, because my poor boys have been deprived of these exciting contraptions. Tonight Alex got to pick dinner. We're having beef enchiladas. I'm sure he'll get to pick a game for us to play, probably Spades or Hearts, as that is what we've been doing lately. He took Ooey Gooey Butter Bars into school for his snack. He brought me home a VERY clean dish. No left overs.
I hope it's a good, good birthday for him.
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Sorry Dial up Users
Except I think I'm the last dial up user out there.
Two of the boys were in the Talent Show at school. I took some videos for the world to enjoy.
First up. Act number 2. Star Wars, on the accordion. The MC introduced him, stating "this isn't something we get to see much". Jared whispered to me "get use to it". He's already played twice since he started at this school.
Star Wars from Heather on Vimeo.
Up next. Act number 5. The Western Mules. Alex meets once a week with a singing group at school. They've sang at various locations, and Alex made it to honor's choir because of them. I thought this was a good performance by them. One of their better ones.
Musical Mules from Heather on Vimeo.
And finally Act number 13. Jonas. He started telling people when he was about five, that he was going to learn how to play the violin. It took a bit to get going, but now he is learning. He wants to learn "Devil Went Down to Georgia". I told him, we'll get there, but we have to learn this stuff first.
violin solo from Heather on Vimeo.
I was asked after the show, if I would teach other kids violin. That's quite the compliment for my little boy!
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