First day of school

And so it begins. McKenna spent all evening last night gearing up and in crisis about what to wear. Cam had to also go stylin' and created an outfit ready to be worn. McKenna is entering 5th grade- The Middle School. Needing to be at school by 7:45 this year! Don't have a morning-kinda-girl!! Our morning tantrum included the fact I wanted her to do either choir or band this year. She cried- I want to do study hall. She was forced to compromise to piano lessons. Then there was the hair issue. I wasn't curling it right- no she didn't want her bangs showing, blah blah blah. And then.. the fact I made her cut off her Kalahari entrance bracelet from last week put her over the edge. "It matches mt outfit!" I don't know if she ever finished polishing her one hand- as she wanted me to help her right before bed last night (it will only smear all over your sheets- do it in the morning). Ooops... didn't get to do it. Cam has been ready to walk out the door for 45 minutes now. School for him starts at 8:50. It is 8:09.

I am ready to be back in a routine, as I get nothing done during the unstructured summer! Trying to weed a bunch of crap out of here- old papers, files, clothes, etc... If anyone wants to buy some Phaltzgraff "Winterberry" dishes I would like to free up some kitchen space as well. I just never use them except for a few pieces. The paperwork for school is crazy and the amount of checks I have wrote out this month has been never-ending. Kev is on 2nd shift which puts all the sports activities on me all week. Hope he makes some suppers for me before he leaves for work! McKenna in volleyball and now apparently piano lessons, Cam in Football, and then at least one of them probably in drama for the Christmas production.

Can't wait to hear the reports from the first day of school this afternoon!

Where in the World is Kenna and Cam 2009- Adventure #2

Saturday decided to take off for the day to explore Presque Isle PA. This is a state park pennisula across from Erie. Approx. 4 miles long full of beaches, bike trails, and historical buildings. There is an amusement park-Waldameer (Cheap) outside the gates, and a free observation and environmental center outside as well. Erie also has Presque Isle Downs and Casino, which we didn't get to but also a lot of wineries surrounding. Our plans were to go geocaching as well, but unfortunately the website was acting up, and although it said the coords. posted on my machine, we got there and none of them were on. Will give us an excuse to take maybe a whole weekend up there to explore. There are quite a few different museums and tourist things in town.

Today, Rena and Andy, Lauryn and Logan came over for lunch and games. Nice to just hangout. All in all, busy but an enjoyable weekend.

Looking forward to Friday as I have off as well! Getting some of the new carpet installed and taking a family friend to lunch.

Slacker....

Okay, so I have dragged on the posting lately. One reason is that I have been sucked into the Facebook scene. I have very limited info on my profile page, no pics of the family, and I have vowed to only use it as banter and communication purposes. I figure, if I know someone well and trust them, I will direct them to this blog and they can get more intimate info on our family if they are asking. It is funny how people who I went to school with and never once even had a conversation with, is inviting me to be their friends. Some people are impressed by the # of "friends" they have. I am only accepting people who I have actually some history with and even some of those, I just don't want to rekindle a relationship with. It is nice though for the kids because of the instant messaging feature. They can talk back and forth to their cousins in Turkey if they want, as they seem to be on a lot. Another reason for slacking is the fact that not much has been happening around here lately to post. Kev has gotten laid off, so we are laying pretty low for the summer now. We are still planning the "Where in the World Series" with the kids, but maybe not too crazy like the Canada excursion. Unfortunately, that ended up costing an extra $600 in van repairs :( Another reason is that we have STILL been working on tiling and the floors getting ready for the carpet- Finally! They are doing the stairs and hallway this week and hopefully the rest in a couple. We have also been busy with landscaping/planting. How ironic is it that now Kev is home to really get stuff done around here, we can't spend. Doh... Life is nothing but a catch 22! Today we have to go to Mom's since it is her B-Day, and we have Angel and Albert's graduation party. Not quite sure what the plans are for tomorrow. Maybe Grilling and Magaritas with the group. Off to dig up some perrenials to take to my mom.

Kroc Center

While at the Daddy Daughter Dance, Cam and I went to the The Salvation Army Kroc Center opening in Ashland. The Krocs (founders of McDonalds) left millions or billions to The Salvation Army, but earmarked it toward large Rec-type community centers. Kudos to John and Erin as I don't think they got enough credit for getting the grant in Ashland. There are currently 3 Kroc centers open- San Diego, San Francisco and ASHLAND,OHIO!!! I don't know how they did it! Check out San Diego:
http://www.kroccenter.org/


Impressive!!!! A Lot of energy during the day. nice facility.

Daddy Daughter Dance

McKenna was excited about the dance. She wanted to get her hair cut (The stylist did her bangs completely wrong, and they drive me nuts!) , new shoes, etc... So Kev and McKenna went shoes shopping together and I had him get her a little wrist corsage. They danced the macarena, chicken dance, and other favorites. I wish I had been there to take a slew of pics... but I will leave you with the commerative pic that was taken.

Ethnic Fair

Saturday we spent the day going around the world- At the Wayne County Fairgrounds. The kids got passports and each country had stamps (like Epcot). There was about 40 countries represented with games, food, and activities. It was a nice day. The kids both had their names calligraphied in China. Later we went to Jason and Shannon's for a nice evening at the fire and playing cards.

Easter

Due our little Canada trip, and the fact that it may have costed me a transmission (we haven't found out yet), the kids knew the E-Bunny would be skimpin this year! We went to church and then to Kev's mom's house. Traditionally she has an Easter egg (filled with change) hunt for the grandkids. Since our kids are use to geocaching and really hunting, and the other 2 grandkids are in their 20 's, Kev and I really hid them well! They did pretty good with only maybe 2 not found.

Good Friday

Kev took off today and we went to Great Lakes Science Center. We have been several times before but there was a robots exhibit and that is Kevin's field- so Cam has been really wanting to go. It was very crowded but the kids were able to make their own Robotic Jitterbugs! These were hooked up to a battery and had a little motor with a little propeller, and these "bugs" would bounce around. One of the pics shows McKenna on a hang glider similator. We went out to eat to the LagerHouse restaurant in Medina that had wonderful BBQ on the way home.

Where in the World is Kenna and Cam 2009- Adventure #1

I knew I had off yesterday, but was contemplating what to do with the kids. Because Kev really does not have a lot of vacation time because he started at Wilburt a year ago and he is a quarter layed off due to the lovely industry, we are staying low and not planning any big trips anytime soon. So I thought I would spontaneously do one tank trips with the kids without a lot of my anal agendicizing (as I usually do with trips) and not a lot of thought to it. So at about 10:30pm on Wednesday night, I thought- hmmmm.... Canada. When Kevin came home that night I basically said- Hope you don't mind- thought I'd take the kids to Canada tomorrow. He laughed and was the good husband and checked my oil and tires and said have fun. Figured I better get to bed. I woke up the kids at 5:00am the next day and said "You'd better get up... we are going to Canada!" They were a little in shock! Off with the kids to Niagara Falls where I have not been in 25 years.

I did some quick printouts and we did a couple of geocaches in PA, NY and in Canada. We ended up going to the Niagara Falls Aquarium, the Space Needle Observatory thing, Goat Island, Ripley's Believe it or not Museum, and walked around in scenic areas. We wanted to do the Maid of the Mist, and before we got on the Canadian side, someone said- none of the water stuff was opened till the end of may. I thought that sounded a little strange until we saw the falls- as you can see in the pics. Would not want to be in a boat next to the falls when things broke loose! It was off season still, but prices were cheaper, crowds were less, and starting in June, you will have to get a passport to get across the border :( We rolled in about midnight after 570 miles! If anyone has ideas for the next one tank trip let me know!

Where ya goin' Dog??

This is our dog. We estimate about 13yrs old. He doesn't really play, starting not to hear, double cataracts, he lays around and sleeps most of the time. Unless, he is following Kevin around. Anyway, I let him out Saturday morning. We never put him on a chain, cuz he is aware of boundaries and almost never goes farther than necessary (unless maybe it is trash night). He may visit the neighbor's back porches if their light is on. SO anyway, I let him out then checked on him. The last I saw he was laying on our deck in the sun. The next time- totally vanished. So we sprawled out and just casually started looking for him. When we come back in, there is a message from Orrville vet, that Rupert was seen prouncing around the loading docks at Buehlers. So Kev races in one car over there, and I take the other skirting the perimeter. No sign of him anywhere. An employee came out to talk to Kevin and was bringing a leash to tie him up so he stayed put, but in those couple of minutes- gone. We looked and looked then came back to the house. There was a message again from the vet that a Buehlers customer brought him into the office. So McKenna and I raced to save the dog and he returned safely home. We cannot believe that our old dog that sleeps 6 hours after a walk, made it to Buehlers that fast. I am thinking it was really bright that morning and with his cataracts he was blinded and got turned around and kept going. What a way to start the day.

Easter at Wendy's

We had Easter over at Wendy and Mike's House on Sunday. This is becoming a tradition as they have a lot of land (in comparison to the rest of us), that the kids can roam free. The guys were in charge of the logistics of the stuffing of the eggs with candy ritual. They were so funny (as I wish now I had gotten a pic). Lots of food- of course. We got to see Olivia in her prom dress. The guys went out and hid the eggs all over the property. We had brought camoflauge eggs, and they blended so well with the color and length of the grass, that Kev was just throwing them in the yard. I think the kids still could not find about 10 eggs- I am sure they will show up throughout the year. We were amused at the fact that Odis the dog went nuts for the ice dispenser in the refrigerator, thinking they were dog treats everytime someone used it. Our dog just sniffs and walks away when we drop ice. No excitement here. We left right after making plans for Gourmet Club- Cinco De Mayo Party in May- Ole!!

A Cricket on Grandma's Hearth

The latest installment of plays for the Orrville Theater Company. McKenna was Ariel and really enjoyed going to practices this time as she jad a bigger role than then past. I guess the summer will be drama free (well I am sure not at home), as the Company is doing Mamma Mia, and really there is no kid role in that!

Skater Party- Cam's 8th B-Day

Well, this was an interesting and high blood pressure event! We took 7 boys to an indoor skate park in Canton where they brought a variety of bikes, scooters, and boards with them. The ride over surely put me over the edge as one child (although I knew who he was, I have never been responsible for) was beyond out of control. I do not know how many times (seriously) I had to say "That is not a word we use" , "I do not want to hear that again", "We do not talk like that" , "If I have to tell you not to throw it again..."

Then we got to the restaurant. This was a typical thing as I tried to minimize the wasted food from the buffet by repetively saying "Only get a little- you can always go back for more." I also had to stay on top of the drink usage and keep saying "Whatever you create, you have to drink it all (Suicide drink)." Then of course they had an ice cream machine- yet another thing needing to be monitored very closely. Kevin was outside, and that would be the time all the younger boys disappeared loudly and with an "up to something" aura into the boys bathroom. I relied on the older Logan and Conner (Thanks), to go monitor and get them out. Onward to EVOLUTION SKATE PARK.

Would have been great if we had had the place to ourselves. I am sure the regulars were thrilled when we left!! Now the oldest of the boys were twelve, and the rest were pretty much in the same class as Cam (which for some, we found a little too young to get it). A couple kids just never caught on that there were very experienced and experimenting older youth hurdling their apparatices through the air and off ramps, and their equipment flying out from under them at times... And you really need to be FULLY aware of your environment AT ALL TIMES! You don't get bored or scared and decide that you are going to entertain yourself by sliding down the ramps on your butt, laying down on the ramps, or chasing by foot your other friends across the flattened speed zones in the opposite direction that everyone is coming off of the ramps. And it didn't seem as if those who got plowed into SEVERAL times picked up on the level of awareness afterward, nor did seeing people leaping off of their equipment in order to avoid direct hits wise them up. And because there were many different sections of this park, they were sprawled. One "regular" in particular I had to keep crisis intervention going with him cause I think he was about ready to kill one of the kids. We left a little earlier than planned and took them to a park to open presents and run around (not before one of the same as above kids about got flattened by a car running out into the road). They played a lttle tag and we wrapped up the day. Cam had a blast. But we now have a more elaborate list of who-not-tos.

80's Party

I missed it. I was so bummed! I had to work- which is highly unusual. I got there just as the last guests were leaving. Shannon was so dressed for it!! I didn't even get to talk to Janine and say Happy Birthday or talk geocache trash with her. Shannon was the only remnant left of the party I got to experience... I will leave a little something on the blog for you all to play to reminisce of the good old days!

new entrance

Well,

We are almost done with this portion of the remodeling- Kev just needs to put in the colored grout. Then, we need to work on the fireplace area. Then Howmar Carpeting will be thrilled to get our carpet installed I am sure! It looks rather different than the earlier blog that the kids were tearing up. We made it a much larger area. I told Kev- if these tiling jobs turn out good, I may have to have him do the kitchen- HA!

Taking the Plunge

Kevin has never been follicly challenged but has spent many years whining and threatening he was going to shave it all off! So I called him on it and said "go ahead". This freaked him out a little and wondered why all of a sudden I was agreeable. Then he was hesitent and was stalling for a couple of days while the kids begged him just to do it. So finally he did and this is what we got. Not terrible, but different. Now the kids say he will need to buy a wig for the 80's party as now he hasn't appropriate hair.

Have a great day- Wahoo in the 50's and possibly 60's next 5 days!

50's PARTY!

Well, it was the Martin families turn to host the big annual adult progressive party, and we went with a 50's theme. I love themes! We had over 50 people there, and Matt and his family crew did a great job with the food as usual. Everyone loved the home-made tv dinners in the aluminum trays! Thanks to Leann and Les(nice you weren't in China during the party) for helping put everything together. It was fun to have Dick and Marge from Kansas come in to help out this year, but unfortunately Lynn didn't make it back from Russia in time. Not a lot of daring hula hoopers but Renee rocked the house and was the big winner (McKenna and kids seem to do it so effortlessly!). I couldn't believe I stayed on skates the whole night, and the calves weren't even burning the next day!! The party will be in Peggy's hands next year so we can't wait to see what she comes up with. Some of the pictures are are all the way at the bottom.

Shannon and J are having an 80's party in March, so again we will be putting period music, games, and costumes together. That ought to be a blast as well. Still looking for the pinstripe jeans and jelly shoes Shan- HA! C U then!

Off with the girls to Applebees.

Week went by so Quickly!

Wow! A week went by so quickly. We had a snow day- We all had one, Kev and I both from work as well- very unusual. We had about 4-5 iches then a layer of 1/3 inch ice, followed by 4-5 inches more of snow. The kids had fun playing, and the scenery was very pretty.

Cam has been trying hard in basketball. The game they played this week was a low scoring game but defense was so much stronger than the spanking they go last week by another team! I am surprised, as he stayed up late at Logan's B-day the night before with 10 other 7&8 year olds. More power to ya Deanna and Kyle- They are use to lots of boy action there where as I have a girl to balance things out here!

Yeah Pittsburgh!!! Cam was bummed cuz he had left his Pittsburgh jersey at school over the weekend cuz he had it there for a football project. He wore yellow for Jay and Shannon's superbowl gathering, but wasn't the same.

Kids are helping with a project we decided to take on.... To save money and to be able to
shallac the floors because of McKenna's allergies and asthma, we are taking up all of our carpets ourselves before we get new carpet professionally layed. We are tiling around the fireplace and front door as well before the pros come. We have no idea what we are doing, but we are doing it as a family :) Here the kids are tearing up the nail strips and plywood by the front door. They wanted to help destroy so why not give them sharp objects to tear up even sharper objects!

Kay and the girls are leaving tomorrow for Turkey. They probably won't be back this way for a year and a half. Over the weekend, the kids were able to have a good time with Alissa, Christina, and Laura one last time before they are heading off... I would load up some pics, but I don't see McKenna's camera.
Well, off to work on laundry and to throw some stuff on the dayplanner.

Winter Reflection...

This is always the time of year when we look at resolutions... those things we would like to change, improve, reflect upon, and ways to grow. As I watch the inaugural events, the theme also rings "the need for change" more so than ever. Enjoying the weekend with a great group of friends, I am thankful for them and the ability to not take things so seriously- to allow myself to laugh, enjoy life, and enjoy company as I know so many don't. I am thankful for Kevin- our individual "issues" and idiosyncrasies balance each other out. We are a lot opposite, but we keep each other in check. I am so blessed to have been able to have McKenna and Cam! A lot of people really enjoy the baby stage, but as they get older there are definitely neat things at each stage of their development (except for the question from Cam last night, based from a prescription commercial, asking me what "unprotected sex" was).

I added a songlist to my blog and as you can see there is a big variety of difference in some of the songs. They represent many of the components that make up our lives. The spiritual and "always working on ourselves" songs, the thankful songs, the nostalgic, and the current songs. Last summer our friends and the kids all time favorite song (yes, this is one area I contaminated my kids)- All Summer Long by Kid Rock. Absolutely not appropriate for the kids but the whole group of them belted it out "All Summer Long"- at the pool, at our BBQs and parties, it was always on the radio, and we could not get it out of our heads as it was a great mix of 2 classics!! Money is great to have, but to be able to just relax, and let the kids be kids as long as they possibly can, and have lots of people around you to share in the making of their memories and experiences is wonderful! The anthem to them is yet another of my selections- I Hope You Dance- by Leann Womack. I am hoping for this new year to keep challenging myself- whether it be with weight, faith, character, knowledge, or with my relationships. Never to take them for granted, and not to fall in a rut of an unexamined life.

As with the change of the economy and the rest of the U.S.A.- Let's see what you can do Obama... You go get'em! And to George & Jen, as discussed in our group this weekend, we will see if he has the "right program"- HA!

Can't wait for Super Bowl Sunday as our next "Gourmet Club" will commence. Camden is thrilled as we tend to favor Pittsburgh in this house, and he can wear all of his garb.

Have a great rest of the week!

Enough Said

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Snuggled indoors

My cousin Sue and I had planned on switching kids Friday night. McKenna going there with Abbi, while Mitch comes to our house. Seeing the forecast, we knew it was a possibility it would be a whole weekend event. We sent extra clothing and snow gear and prepared the kids that they may be stuck until Sunday... and they were. At our house, we got over 6" of snow. It was a no-plans(very unusual), curl up and get nothing done weekend- and we did it so well. The boys had a blast in the snow, watching movies, making their own pizzas, playing Battleship, and the big hit... Mitch's DS. Cam wasn't even upset that the first Upward Basketball game of the season was cancelled. He was hoping he would get that call from his coach!

McKenna went with Abbi to Build a Bear (before it really started snowing) to celebrate Abbi's Birthday. They played in the snow and created a snow fort and a snow fort for the Littlest Pet Shop animals.

I have been doing little organizational things (HA! this is one of them) only to procrastinate working on a grant due Friday. Hopefully, tonight I will force myself to start it so I am not so on edge by the end of the week. Luckily next week is a 3-day weekend for me and our Gourmet Club will be having our party- Theme: Authentic Italian. Handily, we have Rena's sister-in-law to double check the recipe authenticity, as she is from Italy.

I am hoping all is well with everyone as you start a fresh new week .

Venting

Okay,
Very stressful next two weeks with work, and these laws that keep passing through Congress are not helping my razzled state of mind!

1st- Booster seat law. If it was really about the safety of the children, there would be height and weight requirements and not age. I have a good solid tall little dude, and surely I am not going to be carrying around a booster to his basketball and football games in preps there may be a possibility of grabbing a ride with a friend. Nor will I have a 1/2 dozen boosters in my van because I decided to take a group of kids to the park. Fine me $100. Cam's b-day is now 3-15-"00".

2nd- Consumer Product Safety Act- Although regulation is definitely necessary, this is the most absurd way to go about it. Not only would this deny all access to affordable clothing and products to poor families, but businesses left and right will go down in flames. Consignment stores, the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores, Ebay purchasing for 12 and under products, even garage sale-ing, and I understand even giveaways like Toys For Tots and Coats for Kids would be affected by this as well. These products would, after 2-10 be considered hazardous waste because it may contain lead. And the disposal of all this waste will occur how and where?? And if my child isn't in a booster seat I get fined $100, but if I sell and non marked "Lead free" piece of clothing at a garage sale I could get fined $8,000 for the first offense and $100,000 for the second- What in the world?? Not sure how this many government reps were sleeping and didn't bother reading the proposal or thinking of all the ramifications while signing. I am predicting that during the next 30 days of the "conversation period" this thing will go down in flames because of all of the opposition. Why not simply test the crap coming into the states at the border. If it contains lead or hazardous chemicals it gets shipped back, the company gets fined, gets black listed, and are not allow to have any of their products imported into the states.
Breathe...
Okay- I am ready to relax now, continue making chocolate chips cookies, and plan for tomorrow.
Probably should do a little cleaning as we are doing a kid swap this weekend as cousin Mitch is coming to stay with Cam, and McKenna is going to stay with cousin Abbi. Poor little Zane will be stuck with the girls.

Christmas 2008

This is my first post, and I figured why not stall on getting Christmas stuff put away by creating a blogspot! My friends have been telling me I need to get set up, so here I go...

As I get this going I will probably continue to add some past stuff as well as the present.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Our Christmas season started by McKenna being in the production of "Humbug". Although she only had 1 line, she played several characters and had 3 dress changes.

This was the second play that the Orrville Theater Company has put out as both her and Cam were Munchkins in "Over the Rainbow" over the summer.

The kids both sang in a program at Orrville Christian Church on December 21. I can't believe how tall McKenna looks compared to the rest of her row!! This was preschool to forth grade.



Christmas day, was crazy as usual. The kids get up around 7:30 and we head downstairs. Cam is at the stage (almost 8), where he doesn't want to believe in Santa, but I think he is afraid not to.

Hot toys for Cam-- Star Wars lego sets, Scooter, and Bakugan stuff (Pokemon the next generation I guess).

Hot stuff for McKenna- American Girl Stuff, Digital Camera (which is better than mine), Digital Stylin' Studio, and yes, more Webkinz.

We then went to Kevin's parents for lunch and presents. The kids visited with their cousins Laura, Alissa, and Christina before they return to Turkey in January. We then went to my aunt's house for supper where we visited with my mom's side of the family (although she didn't go).

The next night, my brother and our family went over to my mom's for supper. We had touched base with my dad's side the week before.

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We spent New Year's Eve with Rena, Andy, Lauryn, Logan, Denise, Kevin, Connor, and Alyssa hanging out watching football and movies, playing board games, and enjoying Mojitos, as the adults and kids split up in the house. As usual, the resolutions include getting thinner, getting more fiscal, getting more organized.

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We almost made it through the vacation w/out anyone getting sick, but McKenna was out for about 1 1/2 days. And now it is time to return to school.