Bean Sprouts

half past 9

I know, I know, I know... another birthday post far overdue; but, on the other hand, very fun to revisit the moment (and a much warmer moment, at that!).

Nine years old on July 9th, 2011.  Even Kings Island commemorated the official date and was the location of choice for Isaac's celebration.  Lucky dog.  I like to remind him how fortunate he is to have a summer birthday-- especially when he's feeling left out during our string of spring birthdays celebrated in varying degrees of questionable weather.  And... no school.  Ever.  Like I said-- lucky. 

 

We had such a great time with friends at the park:  rides, treats, fireworks, more rides... it was a late night with little time left for his candles and "cake".  So, like any reasonable mother would do... we had ice cream sundaes for the next morning's breakfast!  

 

 

So here we are now at half past 9, or...  halfway to 10 (I much prefer the first way of thinking in my own little world of mental time lines) and this guy continues to make me smile and always makes me proud to be his mom.  From his early morning sports stats check-ins, to his midday tabasco-added snacks, to his late night angry birds bedroom battles... from his determination on the football field to his quiet patience in helping others learn a new skill, Isaac is the brother, son, nephew, cousin, grandson and friend that we all want in our lives.  Happy (half) Birthday, Isaac!  We love you so much.  

 

 

quarter to 7

Time keeps passing and I keep thinking about all the time that keeps passing... it's a vicious cycle, really, and I'm afraid I need to play a little big game of catch up with all those months that have flown by!  What better place to start than with this little cupcake of ours who turned 6 last April (and is now a quarter to 7!!)

For the first time, Sophie chose to have a friends party.  Not just any friends party:  the I-don't-want-to-leave-anyone-out-so-invite-the-entire-kindergarten-class friends party.  And so we did. 

Complete with piñta and the ridiculous amount of candy that flies out of it.  A good time for all.

 

Turning six also brought a visit from the toothfairy...

FINALLY!!!  The toothfairy had been on standby for weeks waiting on very wiggly teeth to come out. Whew... no more shark teeth for Sophie (and a toothfairy who rests a bit easier these days). 

Of course, the countdown to the next birthday began immediately....  But I'm not one to rush things (obviously), and so I'll gladly take our sweet time until we celebrate 7 for this girl who adds sparkle to our family, who always tries to keep the peace, who has a tender heart for anything furry, fluffy, and soft, and who gives the best squeezes ever.  Happy birthday (and three quarters), Sophie!!

 

march of the penguins

Based on the consistency of recent posts to this blog (or lack thereof), it may seem like I have taken a sabbatical to Antarctica, but sadly, my excuses for not writing are not nearly that exciting or adventurous.  

 

Recently, however, my littlest guy and I have had many adventures with a crew of imaginary penguins that make a daily visit, usually arriving (as announced by Levi) while we are in the car on our trips to and from everywhere.  These little characters are sweet, funny and mischievous (strikingly similar to someone I know).  There are 4:  Pickles, Peng, Lovey and Rob.  While they are not the best drivers, they do like to practice their skills during our outings:  Peng prefers steering and is in charge of navigation, instructing Rob to gun the gas peddle at regular intervals, regardless of the traffic ahead.  Lovey is the snugglebug that her name implies and is at my side when Levi and I cook in the kitchen (typically blamed for the mess that ensues but continually deivering hugs and squeezes).  Pickles is rather elusive, but always seems to be at the scene of the crime:  lowering windows at 45 mph in the middle of winter, secretly adding his favorite treat to the grocery cart, pilfering the snack bag in the trunk....

 

I wouldn't trade these escapades (real or imagined) for anything.  Soon enough these penguins will march on, but I will treasure the memories they left with us... and our little crew of 4 will continue our own adventures. 

 

freezing our ears off

Not something I would expect to say in the middle of a 90-plus-degree heat wave, but that's just what we did one fine Sunday evening at the end of July.  I'm talking corn, of course, and I had the pleasure of learning a simple and delicious method for freezing those fresh kernals from my dear mother-in-law.  

This little project was a family affair that began at a local farm where the boys picked up the freshest corn and brought it home to schuck immediately.  Everyone was in on the action...

Once all the husks and silk are removed from the cobs, it was time to cut off the kernals.

The cut kernals are then measured into ziploc bags:  I used 4 cups corn per quart-size bag and added 1 cup ice water, 2 TBSP sugar and 1 tsp salt.    

Seal and freeze flat.  We ended up with 28 quart-size bags and 4 very happy children... I've been hearing for years now that Grandma's corn is the best (and it is), and now I will never have an excuse to serve the store-bought variety again.   For me, the sweetest part of this memory is being included in a tradition that has been passed down for generations... and will continue to be.

 

Completely unrelated to corn, but equally noteworthy was the sewing project Norma and Bella embarked on that same weekend.  Bella was given the pattern and fabric as a birthday gift back in March... sadly, Bella and I both needed assistance for this acitivity, and we decided to wait for our favorite instructor to help complete it.

 

Not one, but two fabulous skirts... and two very pleased girls to wear them.  Thank you, Grandma!
















 

One lucky SOB

If the title offends you, my semi-sincerest apologies...but that's who I am.  To this day, I remain amazed by my blessed good fortune -- how I ever earned the right to spend the rest of my life with this woman will forever be a mystery to me.  Simply put, I'm one lucky SOB*.

A snapshot of our summer featuring the woman who is normally behind the camera...

A rare moment of peace and tranquility in the midst of organized chaos

With her youngest subject at the aquarium...whether they realize it or not, she's always teaching, and they are constantly learning.

 Hiking at Ft Ancient this Spring...a great day.  Photo by Bella.

Amused by the insane amount of Tabasco and red peppers Isaac has heaped upon his pizza.

Adored by her quirky crew of Amish-Italians.

At Sohie's gymnastics "graduation."  The beautiful one in the middle is my wife of 14 years.

A cool day on Huron's beach in June -- with the same look that captured my heart on that hot summer day in 1995.

 Relaxing during our traditional Monday grilled pizza night with "Captain" Steve & Kerri in Michigan.  The pizza recipies have made Christine a local legend, and we've become quite a prep team over an open fire.
Proof that genetics play a key role...My beautiful mother-in-law and daughter.  No question that Christine stands squarely in the middle of these two.

 
Four kids...really?  With guns like that, it's hardly surprising that every one was a natural childbirth.  Thanks Bean -- I can't imagine life without them.

First day of school with Bella and Isaac...as strange as it sounds, this is the 6th year we've taken these photos -- and she makes every first day special.

Blessed, fortunate, lucky or whatever you call it...  Fourteen years have come and gone since those original "I do's..."  Yeah Bean, I still do.

*Smitten Over Bean

signs of spring

It's been raining here... a lot... and while the rain has managed to wash out MANY baseball practices and scrimmages, it has not dampened the fun:

This was probably day 1 or 2 of our monsoon season, when the rain was "refreshing"....  we're closing in on day 37... at least, and the rain is anything but refreshing.

 

Man vs. Food during spring break... if you don't watch the show, you wouldn't understand.  Man won, in case you were wondering.

 

More fun with food...  April Fools Day dinner:  "grilled cheese" made out of pound cake and tinted frosting... no wonder Bella is smiling (and a little shocked).

 

Mechanic Isaac assembling Levi's new sweet ride:  a trike with casters... the spin-outs are amazing!

 

                 

Hiking at Fort Ancient where the Hopewell Indian tribe built the mounds-- just ask Bella, she'll tell you all about it.

 

Did I say this was Levi's new ride?  

 

Swimming with sharks.

 

Just kidding... a visit to the Newport Aquarium.  Very cool.  Photos by Bella: 

   Nice photography, Bella.

 

                     

Mushroom hunting

 

Driveway art

 

Driveway lounging

 

Riding a 2-wheeler for the first time this season.

 

Crash-up derby... have I mentioned Levi's new trike?

 

                   

Baseball... at home, in between rain showers (the baseball fields have been officially closed for the week, and I think the ducks and geese are now in charge)

 

      

Left-handed swing with right-handed clubs always makes for an interesting shot.

One of the casualties of recent severe weather:  a downed red oak that missed our house (by a few feet), but took out a section of our fence.

 

The kids claimed it as their new jungle gym... but only for a day until Clarence fired up the chainsaw and restocked our firewood pile.

 

                     

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

score 4

... 4 years, that is.  Our littlest guy was the latest to celebrate a birthday in our house.  The last birthday he celebrated in Ohio was his actual birth day.  Four years.  Here I am again wondering where the time has gone.  

 

When I write these birthday posts, I am flooded with wonderful memories I want to capture and preserve for the future.  This particular post is no different; however, Levi's anecdotes tend to be a bit more "colorful" at the moment...

... like telling his soccer coach on the very first class during a sprint drill:  "You're going down..."

... or leaving the room muttering "zip it, Buck Rogers" after one of his siblings must have said too much...

 ... or announcing "incoming" as he made a mad dash into a public restroom...

 ... or stating (in a very matter-of-fact manner) "Mom, I've got some moves... let's rock 'n roll...."

 ... or offering the encouragement:  "come on, Teetsey," to anyone testing out a new skill...

... or referring to our rather large feline friend as "thunder butt"... 

... or dropping his drawers to dance to a Brazilian tune...

 ... or using all of his unique pronunciations to get his message out (pronunciations that would probably prompt most parents to consult with a speech therapist by now, but I'm still documenting them as "cute"):  "Mom, that was so dood"  (good);  "I used the hanitizer";  "Hon nee, Mom" (hold me).

 

                     

                     


Colorful?  Yes.  Appropriate?  Not always.  Loving and loved?  Absolutely.  Levi adds a vibrance to our lives that will always be special.  Happy birthday, little guy, I can't wait to see what the next year holds for you!  Love you always and in every color. 

 

                      

 

 

 

 

a decade

 

I blinked, and I'm now looking to find where 10 years have gone.  I'm staring at a beautiful young lady who has grown in so many ways over the last decade... into an avid reader, a creative artist, an inventive sewer, a recreational swimmer, an industrious student, and an all-around incredible person.  A decade...  

A decade of succeeding, failing, and learning...

A decade of sharing laughter and tears...

A decade of creating masterpieces-- big and small...

A decade of making friends and being one...

A decade of taking in the surrounding world and making it her own...

A decade of nurturing family and being nurtured...

A decade of loving and being loved... oh and how you are loved!

 

A decade, the big 1-0, 10 years old!!!!!  This girl of mine is no longer in the single digits, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about this milestone birthday.  But one thing I do know is how proud I am to be her mom.  (I'm also pretty certain that in another blink I will be staring at a teenager!)

 

                      

For now...

 

Happy Birthday, Bella!  I love you.

#42

Clarence turned 42 yesterday.  Not exactly a milestone birthday, but certainly one to document and celebrate to the fullest (I'll let it slide that he departed mid-birthday-day for a week long business trip).   We love you anyway.

 

                          

                     

 

I find myself getting increasingly sentimental with each passing year... I'm so thankful to have this incredible guy in my life.  There is so much to love:

 I love his zaniness...

I love his sense of humor...

I love his tolerance of my many quirks...

I love that he can fix anything...

I love that he has big dreams (and works to make them come true)...

I love how much he appreciates his own parents and siblings...

I love his positive outlook on life...

I love  that he can make me smile, even when I don't want to...

I love his integrity...

I love his willingness to forgive and forget...

I love this guy.  A lot.

Happy Birthday.

 

 

views outside my window

What would the start of a new year be without a remodeling project (or 5) in our house?  Suffice it to say, we have embarked on a renovation plan that started out with a "simple" replacement of floor coverings in 3 rooms on the lower level... and has now morphed into an "all-but-the-kitchen-(for now)-remodel" and a "paint-every-square-inch- (and I mean every inch)- wall/ceiling/door rejuvenation," which includes a towering 2-story foyer with a precarious catwalk (of course) and a vaulted ceiling in the family room that's a lovely (ahem) shade of beige.  Did I mention the miles of trim and molding that also need to be sanded and painted?  Right.    

The clutter and chaos that consumes the inside of my house at the moment has made the views outside my window very inviting.  It's what I will need to focus on during the next few weeks (months?) as we make our way through the piles of projects inside these walls.  Come take a look:

 

Before the snow flew:

                
                    

Any questions on this guy's sport of choice?  We've now set up indoor batting drills until the ground thaws just a bit.

 

During the snowfall:

                  

 

 

 

Such a small hill, but such BIG fun!

 

 

 

 

strange, but true, view:  

Yep, that's a Suburban on our front door step... driven by our mischievous "elves" who delivered these yummy donuts (after doing donuts in our front yard) one pre-Christmas morning:

and yes, they were delivered on a toilet seat-- don't ask, I think it's an inside elf joke.  More on those crazy elves another time....

 

 

 

After the snow melt:

Baseball fever... will someone please tell this boy that spring training happens in the spring??!!

 

Ahh, yes, those outside views are much better than the ones indoors right now.  Hopefully the time will come when I can share some spectacular before and after views from our newly renovated inside spaces.