6 by His Design

...and that's a winner, folks!

2012-01-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

Meiners! For the wolf den.

AND Mr. T! For the Webelos 1 den.

And the winners from the pack over-all?

First place Mr. T and second place Meiners from the whole pack! Wowzahs!

Good Job boys! We're all very proud of you!

it's also time for this...

2012-01-27T00:30:00.000-08:00

...the Pinewood Derby!

The boys' car bodies have been sanded and painted until they shine.

Their axles are polished until they fly. {We hope ;)}

The wheels have been tested until they're worn straight.

And tonight is the big event. We sure wish all the boys luck. And we'll let you know how it goes for our two ;)!

It's That Time!

2012-01-26T01:39:00.000-08:00

Girl Scout Cookie Time!

Have you ordered yours yet?

B-ball

2012-01-25T01:30:00.000-08:00

The boys are thick in the throws of basketball season.

I am super proud of both of them this year --- going all out on the court, showing up to do their best both at practice and on game day. I remember not only participating in intramural basketball as a kid, but also those copious games as a spectator/pep-bando through junior high and high school. Basketball is my favorite sport to watch, and how much more fun is it when my kids are out there scrambling for the ball?!

Meiners is a cat on the court. He's here, he's there, he's got the ball, he's dribbling it down and shooting for two...He's always been an athlete, and he plays hard. Always.

T played in an intramural league at his school before basketball season started this year. We were sure proud of him for giving that a shot! Once the season started, he earnestly went all out during his first game, snagging a loose ball from flying out of bounds at the last minute...and...unfortunately, is now spending three weeks looking like this:

That would be a Salter II fracture across the growth plate of the middle phalanx on the fifth digit. Yeah. It sounds like it hurts, doesn't it? But it hasn't stopped his spirit - he's been showing up to practice and on game days with that same dazzling smile to cheer on his team. He's been such a great sport about it...even though I know it's getting boring when he really wants to get out there and play!

We sure do love basketball around here! And I sure do love my boys!

JR4H

2012-01-24T01:32:00.000-08:00

The kids enjoyed a super fun assembly at school on Friday!

The St. Louis area ShowMe Jumpers came to show off their amazing skills with jump ropes! The photo above shows two giant ropes being twirled from four corners while two young athletes simultaneously jump over both ropes! The girls waiting in the foreground soon jumped into the spiderweb of big ropes with their own small ropes and jumped all three at the same time...and one girl even jumped through a hula hoop while jumping through those two giant ropes...I mean, it was crazy cool, energetic, and fun to watch!

I couldn't jump twice with one rope let alone to an entire funky song with aaaaall those ropes going at the same time! WoW!

And due to some unfortunate events that ended up bringing Dad home from his business trip early, we were both able to see the kids do a spectacular job introducing the ShowMe Jumpers to their school and giving this talented group a bundle of jump ropes for schools in Joplin.

We are super proud of our kids! And duly impressed by the kids' skills from ShowMe Jumpers! If you are in the St. Louis area, you HAVE to get these guys to come to your school's Jump Rope for Heart event, too! The whole school was PUMPED to kick off their fundraising efforts for the American Heart Association! Meiners and Pookie received free jump ropes for being Ambassadors for the AHA, and Meinie came straight home to start perfecting his rope tricks.

Please remember, if you aren't sponsoring someone already, all four of our kids are ~~standing by~~ jumping to accept your donation for healthier hearts! Go here if you have a heart for this effort like we do!

blogapalooza

2012-01-23T05:07:00.000-08:00

I went through my laundry basket of loose photos recently to locate the handful of pictures I took during Meiners' open heart surgery. Sashi helped me sort, and boy was I super excited when she actually found one amidst the piles of photos cascading across the living room floor! I may have squealed and told her to "keep looking!!!" so intensely that she got a little scared. Poor thing! But she did, indeed, find about three photos.

In the melee of memories that morning, I also came across an old, unadorned chipboard, spiral-bound photo album that really made me pause. As I soaked in the pages of the book, I remembered when I had attempted a Project 365 of our daily lives. I made it about 6 weeks, documenting the special, the mundane, the little things that made me smile and the big things that made me sad early in 2008. As I created this hand-held little gem of memorabelia, I began to transition toward blogging. And doing both seemed redundant. So I gave up the tangible and replaced it with the digital world of capturing memories.

Over the course of the last four years, I've contemplated my niche in blogging, watched newbie bloggers like myself back then turn their blogs into careers, and let life sometimes overcome the blogging (appropriately so, since I am a mother first). I've also strongly debated with myself over which medium is better - tangible scrapbooking or the computerized world of blogging. Looking through this scrapbook truly made me realize, though, how much I am heart wrenchingly forgetting memories because I am not keeping up with any sort of memory keeping. I have the world's worst memory bank in my head. I literally can forget the point of a sentence before I reach the end of it. I am bound to forget my life in this time if I don't get it in writing. With photos.

One way or the other.

You may have noticed I've been posting a lot lately. It's because we have a lot going on around here and I want to remember it. I want to remember how Sashi reads Jingle twice every night now - just the same way reading the pages of that photo album reminded me how Meiners used to play Minutemen every day in the living room at the same age. How we used to make 1/2 pancakes for half birthdays and cookies on rainy days (what happened to those 'traditions?!' ... I hate to say it, but I think I forgot about them!).

So there you go. I guess we'll be seeing a lot more of each other. Provided I can keep up ;)!
~k

jingle every night

2012-01-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

Sashi received this Jingle the Husky pup intereactive plush toy and story book from us for Christmas.

To say she adores it is an understatement. It has become a staple of her bedtime routine. Threatening not to read Jingle has high obedience value. We have literally read it every night since Christmas. If not me, then Meiners or Pookie. It clearly states in the book that Jingle does not respond to all children's voices, but it doesn't stop them from trying. And we've discovered that saying the target sentences together leads to pretty successful responses from Jingle. It is truly an amazing toy and a favorite from the whole season. Sashi insists we will read it every day until she turns five (six months from now, by the way). Then she will immediately outgrow it. {Apparently she is clairvoyant.} So I figured I'd better document it now. Before it's too late. ;)

The cool thing is she has the entire story memorized and relishes the opportunity more often than not lately to "read" it to me. I sure love that kid.

this little cultural mecca of the midwest

2012-01-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

Friday night we went to the St. Louis Art Museum to see Claude Monet's Agapanthus Triptych. For the first time in 30 years, our art museum - in conjunction with the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City and The Cleveland Museum of Art - have brought together three enormous pieces of art that Monet originally planned to display at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris. He changed his mind, however, and the three pieces (Agapanthus, Water Lilies, and Harmony in Blue) were brought to the US, and eventually sold separately to the three art museums.

The kids have a pretty cool art teacher who taught them all about Monet in first grade. (How spectacular is that?!) So as soon as I heard this exhibit would be here, I began to plan to take the kids. Add to the consideration that the art museum promised free tickets on Fridays, and we were a solid, "We'll be there!" We actually tried to go over Winter Break but those free tickets were sold out! Instead, we made arrangements to go with the grands in the new year and we made a whole night of it. So fun!

one of my favorite pieces in the whole museum - "St. Peter's Cathedral." The kids LOVE how the perspective changes as you walk by...Me Too! The girls enjoyed walking past with Grandpa!

"Smiling Girl with Obscene Object" - gotta love art! (FYI, the obscene object is a naked man!) Don't you love Pookie's studious expression next to Grammie?? She is really taking in that piece!

Grandma with Sashi

two handsome art oficionados!

his fave of the evening

this was the kids' most favorite part of the actual exhibit by far ~ making their own digital Monet masterpieces

Of course, taking photos in the special exhibit was a big no-no, but we snapped a few of our favorite pieces in the actual museum itself before we toured Monet with our iPod tour. Afterwards, we scarfed down a whole lotta pizza at Imo's and called ourselves culturated, marveling how fortunate we are to live here in St. Louis where we have so many opportunities like these to teach our kids about the world beyond here.

Such a fun family night!

it's just too easy to forget

2012-01-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

Last week Meiners spent a day at home with Sashi and me since he woke up with a fever and some achiness. Of course, by 10:00 he felt like a super hero ... or maybe he just acted like one as he leaped from couch to coffee table to fireplace hearth to beanbag to couch again. In a single bound.

But later as he and Sashi sat at the counter giggling and mostly ignoring their lunches, I stood back and marveled at how quickly I'd forgotten what a help he used to be with her before he left us for school full day. They were bosom buddies, best friends, she was his sidekick and he her mentor. I loved their relationship back then. I still do, but I see its evolution. She's peskier with him now. Has her own opinion and doesn't cater to his every whim as she used to. He still adores her and wants her undivided love and attention. Sometimes, nowadays though, she scoffs at his attempts to kiss her lips or hug her or his desire to lead her.

Then again, sometimes she just adores him back and all is still well with the world.

my Jump Rope for Heart presentation

2012-01-16T20:40:00.000-08:00

Last summer another mom from our school asked me to meet with her and our local youth market director from the American Heart Association regarding our school's annual Jump Rope for Heart (JR4H) event. I tagged along to the meeting, truly clueless as to any input that I might provide the cause, but willing to do what I could to help.

Since then we've found ourselves knee deep in Jump Rope for Heart and I have to say I count myself blessed to be doing it. The kids are having a ball (or is it a rope??) actively participating in the planning and prep work, as well.

Last week I met with our PTO to promote our 'new and improved' event and to share why the American Heart Association is near and dear to our hearts (I even created a power point - woohoo fancy!). I thought I would just document those words here, as well. I've told the story before here, but I am doing at least one more presentation in the weeks ahead, so I'm counting this as "practice" also, knowing public speaking just isn't my forte!

Here goes:

"My name is Karin and I am the mother of four sweet kiddos:

My oldest are 10 year-old twins, Mr. T and Pookie. Meiners is 7, and then we have Sashi who is four.

Our twins were born in 2001, and at four days-old, Pookie was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Specifically, the cardiologist called it a 'complete a/v canal,' which basically means she had a giant hole in the middle of her heart where the blue blood mixed with the red blood before it all got pumped out into her body.

To make a long story short, she truly struggled to survive the first few months of her life. It was difficult for her to eat because she couldn't coordinate the suck/swallow/breathe pattern newborns use innately. We needed her to weigh 10 pounds before she could have surgery on her heart, so by the time she was 6 weeks old we were feeding her with a feeding tube in her nose. Eventually we had one placed directly into her tummy --- she didn't eat by mouth until she was five years-old. The first four months of her life are kind of a blur, being a new mom - to twins, one healthy, one struggling to survive, but we finally made it to the day we'd been waiting for: open heart surgery. She was four months old...and the surgery was a huge success! I remember dancing by her bed in the ICU, so excited that the 'sick chapter' was finally behind us and we could go on with our lives.

Unfortunately, within just a few days, Pookie spiked a fever. It was determined that methycillin resistant staph bacteria (MRSA - the nasty bug you hear about on the news today) had attacked her heart and eventually it destroyed her perfect repair. We nearly lost her a number of times after that first open heart surgery. We watched her become addicted to morphine and live on a ventilator.

But by the grace of God, she survived all of that, and she is now the survivor of 6 open heart surgeries. She'll be followed by cardiology her entire life - she goes every six months and even had a procedure done in the fall because she was having - in layman's terms - little heart attacks during exercise. We've sort of taken the year off from PE but she has been allowed to go back this month with strict warnings to rest if she gets tired or feels any sort of chest pain. She takes medicines every day to keep her blood thin because she has an artificial valve in her heart. She has to have her blood drawn every month, she can't eat certain foods, and she's banned from sports like gymnastics due to the risk of falls and bleeding. The great news, though, is that she is doing very well. She won the spelling bee in her class this week. She loves to sing and dance and is participating in a very cool song-writing project through St. Louis Children's Hospital. She's had a bumpy road, but she is truly one of our miracles.

That's our Pookie.

Then, in 2004, we had Meiners, and at 2 weeks-old, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as well - an incomplete a/v canal.

His story is different than his sister's - he has had only one open heart surgery. He is our smart, athletic, rascally heart kid, He'll be followed by cardiology his entire life, also. But despite his heart defect, he, too, is doing very well.

Most people are unaware that congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in the world. In fact, one out of every 100 babies is born with a heart defect. CHDs are the leading cause of infant death; of the one million children born with a CHD each year, 100,000 of them won't make it to their first birthday. Twice as many children die each year from CHDs than from all pediatric cancers combined, yet five times more money is given for pediatric cancer research than for CHDs.

My mission - and our family's mission - is to increase awareness of and research for CHD. We also want to be a light of hope for congenital heart disease. There are an estimated two million CHD survivors today, and for the first time 50% of those are adults! We not only want those numbers to improve, I want my two kids to be counted among them!

The American Heart Association (AHA) shares our vision. Their mission statement is straightforward: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke {CHDs are considered under the 'cardiovascular disease' umbrella}. Their focus is on educating the public on the importance of heart health through topics as broad as childhood obesity to how to cope with life after a stroke. They provide us all with help planning exercise routines; they offer delicious heart-healthy recipes; and they teach us how to live longer, healthier lives.

In 2009, the AHA donated close to $10 million for CHD research. This positively impacts my family because money donated by the AHA led to the development of the first artificial heart valve. We look forward to new medicines being developed that will thin Pookie's blood without requiring frequent blood draws; and we also anticipate procedures that will allow her valve to be replaced through a simple catheterization procedure instead of invasive open heart surgery - which doctors are already doing in some cases! These advancements may be on the horizon with additional research! We look forward to improved quality of life for our kids and for all our heart friends!

Our school has been invited to share in fundraising efforts for the AHA. This year we are super excited to bring a new and improved Jump Rope for Heart to our school. We began in January already with a Heart Health Awareness essay contest. Then on January 20th, we are honored to host the amazing skills of of the ShowMe Jumpers! All of this hoopla culminates in an exciting school-wide Jump Rope for Heart event on - what our family calls "Healthy Heart Day" - otherwise known as Valentine's Day, February 14th. AND if students raise $3000, our principal has agreed to let them duct tape him to the gymnasium wall!

Heart issues affect us all. Nearly 2,200 Americans die from cardiovascular disease each day. That is one person every 39 seconds. Heart attacks and strokes takes more lives each year than cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and accidents combined. They are also the number one cause of death in women. So, we wholeheartedly invite you to join us in raising money for the American Heart Association.

Thank you so much for listening and allowing me to come and speak to you!"

**Would you consider helping us reach our goal of increased awareness of and research for healthy hearts? You can visit our family's fundraising page here.

All the amazing statistics quoted in this post came from the following websites:
http://my.americanheart.org/professional/Research/AboutOurResearch/OurResearch/About-our-Research-Program_UCM_320221_Article.jsp
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/heartdisease/story/2011/01/10-myths-about-heart-disease/43124514/1
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1004724,00.html
http://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/about-chf/fact-sheets
http://www.loweryourbloodpressurenow.org/the_american_heart_association.html

Tommy on Violin

2012-01-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

Our days are as busy as ever despite of our policy of {close to} one extracurricular per kid. When you count four kids in the mix, every night there's running somewhere, in spite of my best intentions.

Last week was no exception.

On Tuesday night we invited all the grands over for dinner and a symphony concert. After a fancy Italian meal consisting of whole wheat spaghetti and a jar of Preggo, plus a salad kit in a bag, and Pepperidge Farms cheese bread, we attended the elementary strings concert.

is that spaghetti sauce on his cheeks? *sigh* seriously, who IS his mother?!

It's been fun watching T develop his musicality over the last year. He began private lessons early last summer and is dedicated to keeping them through the year. (Provided that doesn't include practicing regularly - wait. Did I say that?) I'm super excited that he'll be moving to first part in the upcoming semester - one semester early I might add! - but man alive is it tough to get the kid to practice.

Thankfully his private teacher is super patient...or maybe that's unfortunately?

After reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother last year, some days I feel like a super failure, not sitting on him to practice {for hours and hours} - even though I think he has the talent to be really great. After pushing the kids to work mega-hard on some things last winter that led to more nagging and yelling than teaching of a solid work ethic, I have to be honest, I'm torn between pushing and allowing. I just don't remember having to be told as a kid to practice my musical instrument...of course, I faked my practice card at times, so there's that. But I also remember regularly practicing. (My mom claims my memory fails me, but she doesn't have a blog to prove it...one day I'll be showing this post to my unpracticing violin could-be-prodigy grandchild, just you wait...)
*sigh*

I just wonder: Does it ever get easier? Cuz I hear that being a grandparent is even tougher - worrying about not only your own children but their children, too.

Guess that's why it's just healthier to remember to let go and let God. And to super-remember that God is good all the time - and when it seems as though He isn't, it is because He is great.

And into his hands I place our violin commitment.
Now, where's the checkbook?

Geocaching @ Plymouth

2012-01-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Day we decided to take the kids geocaching. Before kids, we used to hike pretty frequently. (The best and the worst was hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. ... Hiking in was the best; hiking out of the Grand Canyon was the worst!) Since the kids, we've hiked here and there, but really not regularly because of the whole "carry me!" phenomena. Now everyone's pretty much independent and we can get around with only the worst fatigue bringing out the jello legs. We've heard great things about geocaching, so we planned our route, chose our St. Louis-themed object to leave behind (an old baseball card), and off we went!

We were truly astounded at how many caches there are throughout our area. In just one park alone there were ... 50? Maybe more! How many times have John and I ran past them on a training run without knowing the secret treasures the woods held?!

We decided our first cache would be a St. Louis one called Plymouth. We enjoyed exploring an old cave entrance, petting some horses that we came upon along the trail, scaling rock walls, and generally just enjoying gorgeous weather and our family. Eventually, we came across the old Plymouth - yes, literally in the middle of the woods!

The next step was actually finding the cache - and since we really had no idea what we were looking for, boy did we get lucky when Meiners bent down into a hollow old tree stump and brought out a little plastic box!

Oooooh the kids were super excited to sort through the contents of the box and pick out their prize to bring home! Meiners was finder, so we let him decide on a Rams drink holder (he insisted on using it at every meal the remainder of the weekend!).

We signed in and left our baseball card before moving on to more caches.

We went on to complete about five more caches total (hunting through my camera bag for additional treasures to leave behind, including a zoo map, an old stub from a ride up in the arch, etc.!), but our first find was by far everyone's favorite!

We searched and found a Harry Potter puzzle box.

Everyone was excited to let T sit down to figure out how to open it until we discovered this message:

We scaled some death-defyingly tall trees (I'm so brave!):

Then we headed home. Such a great day and a fun new past time for the family!

Shopping with a 4 year-old

2012-01-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

Sashi is an entrepreneur. Her favorite playtime activity is "shopping." This is when she arranges things in her room is such a way as to make it look a little boutique-y and then invites me in to "shop." She's the store owner. I get to play various types of customers. (She doesn't appreciate the crabby teenager who's always on the phone. She does tend to like the cowgirl from Texas, but she mostly asks for the mom lately...)

Before Christmas, she used our coffee table as her register, sliding items across the top and providing a tell-tale "beep" verbally. About half-way through December, however, she began to confide in me, er I mean her customer, that she would be receiving a new cash register from Santa. I always oohed and aaahed over the consideration but encouraged her to keep the coffee table one since it was such a unique antique.

Anyway, lo and behold Christmas morning, Santa came through. He brought her a talking cash register that scans, adds, identifies coins, accepts debit cards, and even offers discounts to repeat customers (no lie). She was in heaven!

Now, "shopping" has reached an entirely new level. We go almost every day. And when we don't go, I get told. And made to promise that we will go tomorrow.

It is definitely one of those quirky play time routines that I want to remember because it is so endearing. And will change before I know it.

Cherishing these days.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours

2011-12-24T20:16:00.000-08:00

In the words of that crooner Michael W. Smith:

May the ones you love be near you
That's the happiest Christmas of all

Much Love,
Karin

Read more: MICHAEL W. SMITH - THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-happiest-christmas-lyrics-michael-w-smith.html#ixzz1hW5TnEHo
Copied from MetroLyrics.com

feet firmly planted?

2011-12-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

I keep saying lately that I'm doing my best to let Pookie be a star while keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground. Is it possible to do that?

Yesterday was just a really cool day for my sweet girl. A few days ago, Erin Bode's manager - the superbly talented singer/songwriter who is writing a song, inspired by and containing Pookie's actual heartbeat - emailed to ask if she would be willing to sing backup on the song.

Um, yeah!?!?!?!

Oh, and the news anchor from our NBC affiliate would be there to interview Erin and Pookie about the story.

Wow.

So that's exactly what we did yesterday afternoon.

I have to admit I am a bit fascinated by this behind-the-scenes look at the making of the song. We remain blind to a good part of what goes into the process - Erin met with us along with her music director, Adam, a number of weeks ago. From our initial meet and greet, Erin and Adam had already penned about three song ideas by the time we toured the hospital with them early in November. Adam was pretty excited when he heard Pookie's heartbeat on the digital stethoscope. He commented that the beat of at least one of their songs would coordinate with Pookie's heart sounds.

Yesterday when we arrived at Shock City Studios, the crew had already been hard at work for 4 hours. We were there, really, at 2:00 to meet with Mike Bush - our local news anchor who does such a great job with personal interest stories in addition to the regular news.

Pookie did a really nice job during the interview. I have a hard time, sometimes, reminding myself that she is just 10.

And Mike Bush was such a nice guy. He's the father of four! It was interesting to hear him voice the same fatherly concerns I hear from my husband. Life is just so universal. We are more alike than different, every one of us.

Most of the afternoon, Pookie and little Sashi tried to keep themselves occupied. Erin noted later - there's a lot of "get there and wait around" moments in recording. What was most fascinating to me, though, and probably demonstrates my completely simple mind, was how each and every aspect of the song? Is taped separately. So Erin sings. Alone. Then she sings some background parts. Then Adam played the guitar. Then he played the guitar with the strum going in the opposite direction. Whatever that's called. Then the violinists arrived. And wow - second chair in the St. Louis Symphony ~ Hello! They played with Erin's husband Sid on base.

And finally, Pookie got her next minute of fame by participating in the children's choir for the song.

One little person who is always along for the ride - and who behaved so very well all afternoon, tried valiantly to impress Erin with her version of the kids' part. She practiced with them. She sidled her way in to the sound room. But alas, she sat on the floor - as quietly as a mouse! - and just took it all in. Such a sweet baby girl. Maybe she'll remember it when she's older and at least be able to say she was there. :) Front and center!

Such a fun afternoon. We continue to thank our lucky stars that we get to be a part of this amazing opportunity. But can you imagine how hard it is to keep that 10 year-old humble?! ;)

~Karin

The Minutes :: 12.4-12.10

2011-12-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

My good friend Frizzy used to host Five Photos on Friday on her lovely blog Heaven's Gift. I truly loved that series. I was horrible at keeping up with it. But it was a wonderful way to give a week its own props by way of an honorable review.
So - in honor of that which once was, I am giving this post up to last week. I know, I know. We're all over-the-moon crazy busy. It's that time of year. But it was just such an awesome week. The kids are all healthy; they're getting along with their friends, doing well in school. Basketball has begun and schedules are nuts, but everyone made it to their respective practices. { I think. } I started baking again (for the first time in months, literally)...We celebrated St. Nicholas' birthday...The kids did a great job in the Christmas Pageant...Dad built a closet from nothing. It was just such a good week. Let's pay it a lil homage, if you will.

I could otherwise title this post: A Tribute to Pinterest - Thee Whom I Love. Pooks and I are way into hair right now. Maybe it's mostly me. I was pretty darned impressed with myself for recreating this hairstyle on my pretty girl, though, I must say. I, myself, am Queen of the Messy Bun.

Sash insisted on a photo alone with Santa. She added it to her wall of friends. Santa gave her this sign to put in the window with her list of things she wants him to bring. Now, when he asked her what she wanted, she merely said, "Whatever you bring me." So sweet. Somehow she found plenty of ideas for this list. I think she'll be very happy come Christmas morning. ;)

St. Nick was good to the kids this year already (December 6th). Sash's ornament is a ballerina. Meiners' a Power Ranger. Pooks = Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) and T's was the golden snitch (a nod to Harry Potter).

Here's another fun Pinterest idea. (Did I mention I love that place??) Sashi and I had fun surprising Daddy one morning after some light snow :)

The Christmas Pageant occurred last week, as well. Our sweet shepherd. Lovin' that hair. She gave up on the matching beard, though. (Can't say I entirely blame her!)

I just ove this four year-old march march marching below in the Christmas program...and the puckered little sideways lips. She's been making that face a lot lately. Such focus and determination. So cute.

And get a load of this pre-teen. He's still three years away from being a tween - are boys tweens? - but that hair sure makes him look older than 7, I think. He looks like a brooding teenager. Maybe pensive is a better word. John and I have officially decided the kids can have their way with their hair. What's funny is it can't be short enough for Tommy. But Matt screams when you mention a haircut. So different. But it fits both of them perfectly.

And cupcakes. Yeah. I laughed as I delivered these. Sometimes I get this incredible notion that I can bake cupcakes. Yet, God humbles me. {Thank you, Lord!} These were awful. Just awful. Not the recipe. No, the recipe for the cake was D.I.V.I.N.E. I nearly pitched them and went to buy a dozen from Dierberg's because of the frosting I chose. Next time I'll skip the brilliant idea to top the delicious peppermint mocha cake with [ever-so-yummy but way too overpowering] ~~mint cream cheese frosting~~ and just top 'em with chocolate frosting. Now that would have been Y.U.M.! Yup. There's always next time. {They were pretty, though, which is half the fun!}

So, that was our week-ish in a nutshell. My man was home most of it, taking some hard-earned vacation time, building a closet in the corner of the boys' room. The closet looks amazing and will be such an asset to their room. I sure love my handsome handy man.

Yup - it was definitely a great week. And only 13 days left until Christmas! Can you believe it??

elfie

2011-12-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

The Elf on the Shelf.

Do you have one? Ours arrived two years ago now. He's helping make some super family Christmas memories, letmejustellyou!

There was the time when Matt tried to see if Elfie could fly. Elfie had landed for the day on the ceiling fan. Matt turned the fan on. Elfie flew. Sort of. He landed - upside down on the floor. Matt howled. Then as he ran to get someone to help, he accidentally kicked Eflie across the floor.

Ouch. That looks like it hurt.

Elfie didn't come back for a couple of days. Dad had to call Santa directly to put in a good word.

This year, everyone is as infatuated with the whereabouts of Elfie as ever. Let me assure you, many a fight has broken out in order to hold the honorable title of being 'first to find Elfie.' Lately, Sara has even taken to waking in the weeeeeeeeeeeee hours of the morning to go on her little 4 year-old self's 4AM Elfie Hunt. One morning with sheer panic in her voice she woke me to tell me she couldn't find him. Ever the patient, nurturing, and good momma, I said groggily, "There are numerous reasons why you can't find Elfie, Sara. First. It's pitch dark outside. Number Two? GET YOUR BUTT BACK TO BED!!!!!!"

I may or may not have growled.

Good times. Good times.

She sure does love him, though. Every day, we discuss where he may end up tomorrow. And again, she is definitely the first one to find him. Every morning by no later than 4AM.

I have to admit, however, that Elfie is getting more creative as the years go by. Perhaps even brazen. Using our crayons. Holding the Advent calendar candy hostage. Staging tea parties with stuffed animal playmates. He spent one night 'cooling off' in the fridge.

All in good fun. I imagine he'll still be up to his tricks even when the kids have grown too old. Or maybe they'll always fight for the right to be "First Elfie Finder."

on opportunity

2011-12-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

When you go through a struggle in this life, so often I think we look for the reason. Really, there may be no real reason other than to say, "It's life." I don't mean that statement in a nonchalant, flippant sort of way. Two little words, but I mean them deeply, meaningfully ~ it is life. Jesus said in the Bible that, 'in this life there will be trouble.' He wasn't kidding. If it's not one thing, it'll be another. I guess as I have gotten older, seen babies born sick, seen children bullied at school, witnessed marriages crumble, jobs lost ... I understand more and more that everyone is going through something. And if they aren't, they will be.

{Well hohoho to you Karin!}

What the rest of that Bible verse says, though, is “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace..." There you go.

Though the world may - as the song goes - "move like mad," Jesus is faithful. He alone gives us peace.

Pookie leads singer/song writer Erin Bode on a tour through St. Louis Children's Hospital

This post didn't start out as a message about Jesus. We look - I look - for a reason for Katelyn to have had 6 open heart surgeries before she turned three. Why she had to refrain from physical activity this entire fall while we waited with baited breath for news about her heart health. Why in the midst of the already lengthy list of daily meds and blood draws did she have to break her arm, have a rash cover her face and neck that forced her to take even more medicines every day, why she is the one who is needing to have five teeth pulled, why? Why? What is the reason?

I don't know. I don't know why. I don't know what the reason is. And in this life, I doubt I will know.

But here is what I do know.

I have met best friends who also have children with heart conditions. And they are amazing, amazing women. I love them so much it brings me to tears. And their kids?

My heart isn't big enough to hold my love for them all. It spills over and flows into my very toes.

I have had to trust God - put everything into believing He will take care of me, my daughter, our family.

I know brilliant people who call themselves doctors and nurses whom we call friends.

Drs. Eghtesady and Van Hare interview with Pookie

We spent an amazing week in Hawaii swimming with dolphins, surfing, flying over waterfalls.

I have spoken to medical students and doctors in a filled lecture hall to make a difference in their eventual practices.

We have been asked to actively participate in fundraising efforts for heart research and education throughout our schools and this community via video as well as public speaking engagements.

These opportunities are all a direct result of the struggle Pookie endured as a young child and continues to rise above every day due to her heart condition.

Erin Bode with Pookie

And now recently? Recently, this beautiful woman, Erin Bode, began writing a song about my sweet Katelyn ... and the beat of the song? The rhythm of the music? The soul of the melody? Is Katelyn's heartbeat.

Erin listens to a recording of Pookie's heartbeat via a specialized stethoscope.

Can you even imagine? I can't even wrap my head around any of it, really. I can only step back and watch how God weaves this little life into His big story.

What if she'd never been born 'this way?' What if she'd never had to face 'these struggles?' What if I wasn't her mom?

Are you kidding?

I wouldn't have my life any other way. So proud of my little Pookie. So honored to be considered and asked by the hospital to participate in this amazing project. So grateful to God for this life.

The Big Leaf Finale

2011-11-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

We dragged our leafy Gratitude Tree to Grandma's house on Thanksgiving day in order to add our remaining thoughts to its branches. It was a lot of fun watching and listening to the kids sharing some of their favorite leaves with the grandmas. They truly seemed to enjoy it as much as I did ... and, although it looked a bit like a leaf storm even to the very end, I think it will be a new tradition for us!

We ate plentifully Thanksgiving Day while enjoying a smaller version of our traditional family group (sure missed the BIL & SIL and those Tennesseeans), played the socks off each other in Catch Phrase and Scrabble (the kids' new favorite game - especially Meiners, who is by far the best 7 year-old Scrabble player I have ever seen!) and watched the ever-traditional fam fave Christmas Vacation. Before heading home at the end of just a super relaxing, sweet family day, we snapped a Christmas photo of the kids and let them open Christmas PJs for the drive home.

Now the tree is up, the mantel decked out, the shopping list begun, and we're full-on in to the Christmas Spirit. Hope you are enjoying your own version of a blessed Holiday season...

Much love,

~Karin

Leaves are piling up

2011-11-16T20:33:00.000-08:00

Besides the 17 bags we raked from our neighbor's yard this weekend (!!! - that's a TON of leaves!!!), our Gratitude Tree is raining leaves as much as those outdoors!

I love how our kids can't get enough of saying thanks for the things in their lives. We have leaves that say:

That would be Sashi, of course. She also gave a nod to our trip to the mall as well as our numerous tea parties. And this one she did all by herself (OK, Katelyn drew the seal):

That would be "animals." (Just like her sister.) Then there's this one of Kate's:

A truer statement hath never been made. What would she do without her TV I dare ask?

;)

Hers also include such things as dolphins, Erin Bode (I'll explain more about that later this week), and her awesome friends. We also got this one:

Tommy's are pretty straightforward, as well:

These are even better, though. The number of exclamation marks exponentially relates to the intensity with which Tommy feels gratitude for these things (as explained by Tommy):

And Matthew:

I love that boy.

He is also grateful for food, water, "friends, best friends, and BFFs," as well as sports and "everything."

:)

Hubs and I got in on the action, mutually appreciating each other:

It's been a really good exercise for all of us. I even need to make more leaves! I'm thinking I may take this idea from Young House Love and put them all together so we can review them next year to see what is the same or different.

I am so very grateful for this crazy, wonderful life God is giving me to live every day. It isn't a hard road and it isn't an easy one, but it's mine. And for it, I am thankful.

on changing my world

2011-11-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

Emily at Chatting at the Sky took 31 days in October to tell us how to change the world. I didn't really pay attention. It isn't like I don't adore Emily ~ if you've been around here long enough, you know I refer to her quite often and consider her an inspiration and mentor. And she wrote a real live book, so she pretty much knows what she's talking about. I just didn't listen.

Then some things in my life sort of started falling apart. Maybe they are always falling apart and some days I just notice more than others. But last weekend, I read a quote somewhere along the path to and from Nashville that said, "Change your thoughts and you will change your world."

I've spent some time considering that statement and believe it to be true. Absolutely, unequivocally true.

So this week, I took out my markers and my Cricut and I made our family a gratitude tree. We're taking time every day to fill out leaves with words like "I love it when" and "I'm thankful for" because those kinds of words bring us back to center. Our bible verse around the tree states, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever."

I have to report that my world is changing for the better {our tree has numerous leaves on it already}. That isn't to say that all things are hunky dory or that I'm sweeping any dirt under a rug. I'm just saying my attitude has changed, my tone has changed, my outlook has changed. And it's all because I'm choosing joy and gratitude.

How are you doing today?

fulfilling their dream

2011-11-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

I don't know what little girl hasn't dreamed of being a flower girl. I recently reconnected with my own flower girl - a grown woman now - and found it so endearing that she still has the photo I gave her of the two of us from my wedding day.

This past weekend, we took the fam to Nashville to celebrate the marriage of Hubby's cousin to the love of her life. She asked for all four of the kids to participate - and we couldn't say no. We just adore those Tennessee relatives!

It was a ton of work prepping all four kids, but I have to tell you - each one of them did such a great job and looked superb. I am a proud momma this week.

Enjoy the kids dancing the night away, and I'll be back again soon!

Halloween 2.0

2011-11-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Halloween festivities continued through the weekend as we enjoyed time at our church's Trunk or Treat and then Halloween Night itself! Perfect weather, fabulous costumes, and tons of candy made for a great time!

Sunday was busy, busy, busy with a tiling project in the laundry room Hubs took on for the weekend, but we finished in time to carve some pretty spectacular pumpkins. {Did you know there was a pumpkin shortage this year? The kids told us all about it!} T adamantly carved his own without help from start to finish this year. He did such a great job, too! I was so proud of his diligence and attention to detail!

Pooks' pumpkin was spectacular (a wicked witch flying over rooftops to go along with her Elphaba costume) - and so was Meiners' [he chose a Ninja in honor of his costume this year :) ]. Mom and Dad helped to varying degrees there.

Then there was my sweet Sashi's pumpkin. I probably haven't shared her love affair with our animals much before, but let me go not a single word further in this blog without telling you that Sara's very, very, very best friends in the whole entire world are a cat named Benn and a dog named Obi. Man does she love those two furries. And they are terrific with her. Benn is 16 years old and, truthfully, is on his deathbed. But she drags him around and forces him onto her bed and into her tea parties and he puts up with it - even purring most of the time.

The photo quality is poor as I truly thought the next morning the cat wouldn't be with us due to declining health.
<3 Nine lives is accurate with this one. <3

As for the dog? She can play ball with him for hours. He lets her jump on him. They take walks together. Sure - I may be the one holding the leash, but there they are, out in front walking side by side. I'm just the tagalong with a leash. Sara tells the dog worldly secrets and wisdom about life the entire way around the block. It's stinkin' adorable, that's what it is. She sure loves these pets. Who would be surprised then to see her hommage to Benn the Cat in pumpkin form on Halloween?

Super cute.

We were off to Trunk or Treat Sunday and a hurried meal and costumes being thrown back on Halloween night on Monday. I was so looking forward to snapping amazing photos of the kids with spectacular sunset lighting but we just weren't quite finished eating dinner as the sun snuck below the trees. Instead we settled for a porch light - and then off they went!

We live in a quiet neighborhood where the closest kids live about two blocks away. Many of our neighbors are retired. Every year Carol drops off big treat bags full of candy and dollar coins for each of our kids before she heads out to their daughter's house to enjoy Trick or Treating with their own grandkids. Lil sends her grown daughter over with treat bags specially made for our kids - this year full of Hot Wheels, Halloween hairbows, snowglobes, and candy. Up the street the kids receive entire candy bars for their jokes. It's a pretty awesome place, and I know they have so much fun! Each year they venture a little farther around the circle of houses that make up our subdivision and return with more candy than ever.

After such an exciting evening and all that sugar, what better way to end all the parties and parades and festivities than back at home by a fire Dad built because the wind wasn't blowing ;) . And Mom toasted marshmallows for dessert! ;)

Home sweet Halloween home!

Halloween 1.0

2011-10-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

The kids have all celebrated their fall parties now, so I must have gotten their costumes put together in time (thank goodness!). It wasn't easy this year - my own fault for waiting until the last minute on one of them, but I promise to learn my lesson {yeah right} and we'll just move along.

I love these two, who went to their first official friend Halloween party tonight. They came home absolutely exhausted, so I know they had a blast! T is a Pokemon Trainer, and Pooks went as Elphaba from the musical Wicked.

Here's my favorite of Pookie:

We all enjoyed another round of the Fall Parties - here's the gang yesterday at the elementary school. Sash is standing in as a Cardinals fan (Go Cards!) but in real life ;) is Snow White.

We sure enjoyed watching our come-from-behind Cardinals win the World Series this week!!!

Hope you are all enjoying a fun weekend, as well!
~Karin

Finding God ... when you're four

2011-10-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ask Sara what she wants to be when she grows up and she answers, "God."

Ask her why she wants to be God when she grows up and she quips easily, "Because He can do anything."

***

This past weekend, our friend stopped by to interview Sara for a college class project. Prior to the visit, Katelyn read her little sister a book about a tree named Steve. Then CJ came, asked Sara to draw a picture and name her own tree. She named it "No Name." (She was a little squirrelly with our recent no-naps-on-weekends policy we've adopted for her!) The two then went outside under a tree and talked. Sara took pictures on the point and shoot cam.

Afterwards, CJ commented that the purest part of her interaction with Sara came when she'd asked, "Where does the tree come from?"

Sara answered, "God."

Tonite, Sara accompanied me to Tommy's violin lesson. On our way home, I began to recount the activities remaining on our plate for the evening - one of which is a running group through our church called "Run for God." Sara calls it "God's on the Run." (I think that's a nod to Katelyn's Girls on the Run 5K experience last spring.) Lo and behold, the clouds in the sky resembled giant footprints, so everytime Sara said, "God's on the Run!" Tommy would yell, "Boom! Boom! Boom!" like God's feet were landing on the skyceiling one by one. Ooooooooh how that made Sara laugh and laugh and laugh.

This went on the entire way home, "God's on the Run!" ... "Boom! Boom! Boom!" ... *Laugh*"

Such a wonderful moment to remember from my two little reds. I sure do love em to bits.

Hawaii | Day 2

2011-10-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

We decided to spend the first full day in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor and the surrounding area. It was surreal. I have to tell you that in all my 37 years of living I hadn't truly learned about Pearl Harbor - the grit of it, the down-dirty reality, we're talking. You know - "the rest of the story" kind of thing.

For instance, did you know oil seeps from the ship (the USS Arizona), droplets at a time, and are known as the ship's "tears" - weeping for the men buried within her, who lost their lives in a battle they didn't expect?

Do you see the black dots on the picture? Those are the oily tears I'm talking about.

Or did you know you can still see the smoke stacks of the ship above the water?

This photo is standing on the USS Arizona Memorial.

Can I tell you I had no idea?

According to americainwwii.com :

The natural beauty of Hawaii—volcanic mountains, lush vegetation, and crystal water—should be Pearl Harbor’s main attraction, and it would be, if not for December 7, 1941. Instead, the island of Oahu’s stunning scenery has become merely the backdrop for the USS Arizona Memorial, a hallowed historic site that reminds us that 2,390 Americans died on a balmy morning 65 years ago when Japan attacked seven military sites in and around the harbor. Twenty-one ships were sunk or damaged, including the battleship Arizona. At 8:06 a.m., a 1,760-pound bomb slammed into the Arizona’s forward decks and ignited 500 tons of explosives in the powder magazine. She sank in nine minutes and burned for two days. A total of 1,177 men died on board, the greatest death toll ever on a US warship. Only 229 bodies were recovered. The rest remain entombed in the wreckage.

Did you even know "Pearl Harbor" - really the USS Arizona Memorial - is actually a sunken ship?

Do you see it in the picture there? And just so I make this a public statement, my husband, my FIL, my mother, and my first boyfriend (now a US Naval Officer) are currently dying of embarrassment over my sheer and utter ignorance. But I remain adamant that I cannot be the only American out there who did not know this. (And that is indeed part of the problem in our country, I have no doubt...)

Aside from "Pearl Harbor" - site of the beginning of the United States' involvement in WWII - I admit I didn't know much, feel much, or think much about it. I am horrifiably ashamed to admit that. As stated above, this spot is so much more that just a pretty picture...although a beautiful picture reminder it is:

It is a place where silence is required and given unequivocally. I am so grateful to have spent time there. To have taken in the scenery and read the words, telling me moment by moment what happened and how we responded and what happened after.

May they rest in peace.

I do so appreciate the manner in which this national monument has been memorialized. My children listened to age appropriate audio about this site. They stopped and listened, pondered, and walked along the path, undoubtedly understanding more than I did until I was 37 years old.

***

We toured more of Pearl Harbor by visiting the missile graveyard, having ice cream, and eventually deciding to also tour the USS Bowfin. Sara was not old enough, however, so Dad accompanied the big kids on a separate adventure:

www.bowfin.org states: "Within hours of the surprise attack, young men in steel tubes took the war to the enemy, using defective torpedoes against overwhelming odds. They triumphed and endured high losses."

We also toured the USS Missouri - which seemed mandatory, given our home state ;)

Pictured here in the background of the USS Arizona Memorial.

Here's a lil photo tip. When photographing your subject in a scene - perhaps that scene being giant gun turrets that dwarf their little selves, bring the subject(s) close to the camera. Because, even though they look pretty small here - and I still should have brought them closer to the camera with the frame of the photo encapsulating the scene of the guns, they are still identifiable. Unlike in this photo:

Those are some Big Guns.

Mandatory cute photos of tired children who still smile for their mommabe photographer:

His brother smiles exactly like this.

And her sister spends more and more time just like this --- just like I did starting in fourth grade, too!

We ended our day at the Hard Rock Cafe, just off the strip and Waikiki Beach.

Interestingly, this photo was taken by a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K participant who ran that morning in honor of her sister - a breast cancer survivor. We had seen the race from our window in the hotel encircling the Honolulu Zoo and had been curious as to what was happening with all the orange flags and runners. Wish we would have known - perhaps we could have participated! Except what to do with the kids while we ran...

Eh - they really are pretty self-entertaining.

The day ended with Matt bringing home a pair of drumsticks from Hard Rock and Pooks stopping by the hotel's gift shop to snag this one-of-a-kind ukelele.

;)

The end of Day 2 only meant the beginning of more great adventures Day 3!

Reminiscing: Hawaii | Day 1

2011-10-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

I remember the limo pulling up in front of the house in the dark. Everyone was up - a homemade coffee drink put to work to ease the stinging fatigue behind my eyes. The limo driver, a kind, older, grey, receding hairline of a man, loaded our bags into the trunk. Everyone piled into the hot car - he had the heat on fuller than full blast. I'll never forget driving through our little neighborhood, looking out onto the dark streets from inside that vehicle, the kids chattering excitedly about the possibility of friends seeing them (at 4AM). Bliss.

(See Sara's face?)

We drove the entire way to the airport trying different buttons for the radio and the lights - we jammed out to Joy FM on the radio. And drank ice water in champagne glasses. Darkness covered us the whole way as I tried at times to look out the window and acclimate myself to where we were on the highway. We pulled in and before we knew it, found our way onto the kids' first airplane ride. Almost as soon as we sat down, we were asked to move - to First Class. We rode in luxurious style for an hour up to Chicago. We even got a brief look into the cockpit before disembarking (some benefits of being "The Make A Wish family."

Our lay over was a couple of hours, long enough to grab some carbs for breakfast, plug Pookie's nebulizer into an airport outlet, play video games, and watch planes come and go.

Finally, finally, finally. We boarded the plane to Honolulu. Nine hours. Oh man the kids were great. We left Chicago mid-morning and arrived in Hawaii around dinnertime. Exhausted.

Upon arriving in Hawaii, we found Julius - who Lei'd us. We met Barbara Hannum, a random University of Hawaii associate who actually coordinates fundraising for Make A Wish with her student athletes. We took a family photo upon her request and later sent it to her and struck up quite an email friendship for a period of time after our trip.

We landed outside our hotel on the strip in the cover of darkness, and just in time to run in to a relatively creepy street performer. He knew what he was doing - swarmed us from the moment we stepped foot out the door. We snapped some photos of his "best friends" - his various feathered creatures (for some ca$h), then meandered down the street to find dinner.

By this time, it was pretty late, but the streets were lit up and packed with all kinds of people, the air temperature perfectly gorgeous, the beach and the Pacific Ocean a stone's throw away, and our family - though literally wiped out - ready for our adventure to come!

Memory Lane: Hawaii - The Pre-Trip "Send Off"

2011-10-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking for a while about creating a series surrounding the photos from our trip one year ago to Hawaii - Pookie's Make A Wish trip. I didn't really post much about our trip in the end last year because we came back to the throes of fall festivals and autumn splendor and then subsequent blizzards of winter holidays and activities! As I peruse old files (can you believe I haven't made us a photo book of that trip yet?! Travesty. Must, must, must do) I see gads of shots that bring back those poignant memories and I think, "Why aren't these documented?" And I don't have any answer. Honestly, when we returned home last year, I was so far behind in everything that I'm pretty sure I'm still making up for it. Or something. (I'll go ahead and blame Hawaii - because it was so darn awesome that it can take it!)

Make A Wish grants wishes to kids so that their happy memories carry them through the tough times. That's what our wish granter told us, and I concede that point, now, one year later. I cannot honestly even tell you how many times in the last 12 months my heart has absolutely pined for that trip. How many times we have talked about it, dreamed about it, replayed it in our minds and conversations and promised each other to some day go back (even though it would never be the same). Indeed, our trip one year ago this week was an absolute trip of a lifetime.

So, this evening, I'm remembering that last year we celebrated our anniversary amongst a restaurant of strangers who had pulled together to sponsor our trip and make it possible for Pookie - and the rest of us - to set sail on our greatest adventure together as a family. And since we just celebrated our anniversary again, I thought it would be fun to back up a week and consider again our night out at Applebee's, where Pookie was a Star!

I know this photo is poor - but it serves as a reminder of all the people who came to celebrate and send us off. As I said, the restaurant was full of people we'd never met - yet, I'm thinking that night Pookie didn't meet a single stranger!

Here's last year's "anniversary photo."

Here's our little Pookie. She was exhausted by this time of the night, but she still mustered up smiles. And she took home every last fake-flower-lei-grass-skirt-pineapple-totem-pole decoration in the restaurant - including that grass skirt she's wearing. It became her bedskirt for the better part of the last year.

All the grandparents came to dinner that night as did one of our sweet wish granters. We were overwhelmed by the restaurant's generosity - they gave Pookie a large gift card (she spent it here) and truly just made our evening so special.

What a send-off!

Maybe I shouldn't say...

2011-10-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

Pookie came home from the hospital Saturday, September 23rd, with her INR just hundredths of a whole number above her targeted range after 12 days. She missed half a day of school that Monday while I took her to the lab to draw her blood again. She had 17 needle marks in her left arm. Tuesday, she threw up before school with a migraine headache. I sent her to school for two hours and then went to pick her up.

When I called the nurse before the cath a few weeks before, the nurse said, "Katelyn is not a drama queen. I've never known her to complain about anything." That Tuesday when I pulled her out of school, we eventually saw her cardiologist. He told me, "Next time she complains [about chest pain], let's not make her ride 8 miles on her bicycle."

Can I tell you something?

Being a mother is hard.

But being a mother to Katelyn?

Some days? Some days it requires a PhD, an MD, an RD, a psyche degree, an RN, a PT, a GI, Rx, neuro, ... and, and that's just Monday at 8:00.

LOL.

Last year, I quizzed the school nurse about the frequency with which Katelyn visited her office. She shared that Katelyn is opposite of a typical school kid. Most children visit the nurse frequently in Kindergarten, less in first grade, fewer times in second, on and on so that most fourth and fifth graders really don't come to see her very often. Katelyn, however, came to the nurse rarely in Kindergarten, more often in first grade, frequently in second grade and almost daily in third. Friday last week was the first day this year the school nurse did not call my home or my cell phone.

After Katelyn's pneumonia last year, she frequently - constantly - complained about her lung hurting. We gave her breathing treatments almost the entire winter.

She reports aches and pains in her fingers. Her feet. Her shoulder. Her eyeball.

Sometimes it's real.

Sometimes it's hard to tell.

Please understand. I love my daughter from head to toe. Her very existence is a blessing and in my estimation the absolute proof of God's grace.

She will be mortified that I am writing this about her - but she is a drama queen. She lives to perform and to be the center of attention. She loves going to the doctor and (until this last visit) sees a trip to the hospital as a li'l piece of heaven where pizzas and ice cream appear with just a phone call and medical students request interviews and listen to her funky heartbeat. She is a bundle of energy and intelligence, beauty and talent, sass ... and an enigma that I am constantly trying to crack.

I am her filter.

I was floored when the nurse at the cardioligist's office told me she'd never known Katelyn to complain about anything. I wanted to shake her by the shoulders and insist she understand how difficult it is not to call over every complaint, to try to discern what needs a phone call and what doesn't.

When I sit in the conference room of the elementary school year after year and insist she not run in PE and she be allowed extra time to eat at lunch and I feel like a neurotic mother with Munchausen by Proxy and she looks perfectly healthy yet she is constantly in the nurse's office and then the nurse calls and says she complained of chest pain in PE and I say, "Tell her to suck it up and get back to class," but the nurse says, "her lungs are clear and the pain is in her chest," and I cuss under my breath and tell her I'll call the cardiologist...

Maybe I shouldn't say that being her mother is hard. Because not being her mother? Brings instant tears to my eyes and a grip on my chest that I can only imagine is what she felt on that bike ride. But I didn't know. And she doesn't know. How hard it is to filter her aches and pains and to know when to call and when to reassure her that everything is fine. And insist that she act normal when normal is grey and ambiguous and hard to discern.

Maybe I just shouldn't say.

10-4 Good Buddy! It really is a great day for an anniversary!

2011-10-05T16:25:00.000-07:00

I am not always a fan of 'the gift thing' (although I am NOT against them entirely [yes, that's for you, MIL]...;) ). We live in a small house with a lot of people who seem to like to collect things, so I actually like gifts that are more experiential. For instance, last Christmas we took the kids to Chicago as part of their gift. This year for our anniversary, because my hubby "has people in town" (i.e. The Bosses) on our actual anniversary, he planned ahead and took the day before our anniversary off to hang out with me. And man did we enjoy our day together!

We took 'The Fabric' - what Sara calls my husband's midlife crisis - the convertible [because I call it The Maverick and she doesn't say Maverick, she says Fabric - so all convertibles now are either 1) "Grammie's car" ( a VW Beetle convertible) or 2) a "fabric" (which is actually an '89 BMW convertible)] - to Hermann, Missouri, or Missouri wine country. We had a blast there on our 10th anniversary, so we knew it would be a great day!

We walked around town for a bit and bought Sara a slushy. Hubs held my hand and whispered sweet things in my ear. OK, really he told me I excel at being lazy (he called it 'relaxing') and doing nothing (he called it 'companionship') ;). I'll take it. I do tend to be the more laid back of the two of us (i.e. nothing ever gets done with me around...).

We stopped at Stone Hill winery and got an education from our fabulous Sommelier Charlotta (name changed to protect the innocent!). She gave us the 4-1-1 on Hermann politics, I'll tell you that much! When we vistited three years ago, there was an old high school building for sale that I could just picture being a fabulous spot for country shops on the first floor, coffee and baked goods for sale, my father-in-law's furniture...The second floor would be perfect as an income property with lofts for rent and the top floor, of course, our home - refurbished with all the asbestos and critters removed, first, of course. A wee bit surprisingly (or not, as the case may be....), the high school is still for sale, so after discovering that Charlotta had refurbished an old Catholic church near town, we started chatting about the old high school's potential.

Apparently, Hermann is a very small town. {And all that that means in terms of politics and newbies moving in and stirring things up. ;)}

But we sure enjoyed the wine tasting, the conversation, and - actually - running in to an old college classmate of mine from our undergraduate days in Kirksville! (such a small world...)

We ate at one of my favorite restaurants in all of the midwest (actually, I'm serious) - Wings Ablazin.' I can't believe I don't have a photo of the place! But we did have Sashi take our {anniversary} picture. She did a pretty good job (can you tell who she loves "the most?" - a blogpost for a different day):

And she got better quickly!

Oh wait - here we both are!

I love that picture - my new fave of the two of us!
And because it's us, and we're just this silly:

We also made a stop at Hermannhoff Wineries - where Tres was able to get that Sommelier talking, too. It really does drive me crazy the way John, his dad, and my mom can talk to anyone. I roll my eyes and wish we could just move on, but inevitably, I am drawn in and grateful for the way they can converse and bring on stories we otherwise would never have the privilege of knowing. They are so annoying like that.

;)

But man alive did she weave a tale of monopoly, espionage, and arsen!

From there, we stopped at the town chocolatier (the baker: closed again!) and then, home - with the top down, of course!

A big fat thank you to my awesome husband - who makes life just a whole lot sweeter (with and without cupcakes). I can't imagine a better man to share my life with. I am a lucky girl!

...and now I better go clean the kitchen!

Lace. Mostly.

2011-10-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

After 13 years of marriage, it is traditional to give lace. Apparently. Or in modern times, teddy bears, faux-fur hand warmers, or a rug.

Instead, I'm giving a list. (If you touch the screen, Honey, you can feeeeeeeeel the love...)

Here are the top 13 things I continue to love about this man:

1. He puts his family first. Mostly.
2. He is handy around the house.
3. And with a car. Mostly.
4. He works hard and provides well for his family. And I know this is stressful when he is, in fact, the soul provider. Mostly. ...OK, really he is.
5. He is logical and thinks things through. (OK, that's always.)
6. He is a great father and willingly and often engages in 'tough conversations' with the kids. And he stretches their minds with math and science and social studies...And he takes them Boy Scout camping.(Always.)
7. He buys me icee mochas and brings them home to me. Mostly. (He tends to drink more 'sips' than he'll ever admit...)
8. He is super handsome.  Mostly. ;)
9. And super healthy. Mostly. (if you don't count all the BK dbl stackers...)
10. And fit.  (I'll give him that one.)
11. He appreciates my work and my arts. Mostly.
12.  He is hilarious and makes me laugh daily. Always.
13. and 13 years ago, when things could have gone another way (we dated for 4 years, people), he chose me! (Mostly?)

I love you, Babe. Can't believe it's been 13 years! Thank you for giving me a great life (mostly) and an awesome trip today that we totally enjoyed...and a new inside joke that we (mostly) can laugh about. You're the best!

(Beats hand warmers, doesn't it?)

<3
Me.

Yup. Cupcakes.

2011-10-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

My friend invited me back to make cupcakes for her a second time! I sure had fun with them! She gave me poetic license, so I tried my hand at fondant. Although they sure looked cute, her girls called it "fondue" and told the guests they could pull it off! (Oops!)

These cupcakes were chocolate covered cherry - two way - per request of the 5 year-old birthday girl. Yum!

This design, engineered originally by Sweetopolita, was a 'blonde' version with white girardhelli chocolate chunks sharing a presence with cherries in the white cake, topped with girardhelli white chocolate frosting. I used sour cherries candies for the "cherry on top."

The devil's food cake showed off dark chocolate girardhelli chunks with chopped cherries inside. The frosting was this fellow-St. Louisan's maraschino cherry buttercream recipe! {And I don't even like soda anymore (since falling in love with icee mochas), but I'm pretty sure I'll be buying that Kool Kola extract she recommends here!}

Thanks, KF, for letting me try my hand at baking again! ;)

Writing, anyway. About balance.

2011-10-02T21:55:00.000-07:00

I have a picture of Pookie when she was 5...as I look at it, I see a beautiful little girl with all her baby teeth in a gorgeous, full, lights-up-the-room smile, her hair dolled up diva-style, with nothing but fun on her face. Love pours out of my heart for this little girl. I think of how much she has grown up since that day and I think of all that she has been through and accomplished and I think about what five more years will do to grow her up. I also think about who I must have been back then verses today and what five more years will bring for me.

She's a whole lot of adorable, persistent, talented, smart, spirited, and truly just an amazing kid. But we are seriously in the throws of sass. And I am not a fan.

We are working on that magical word over here at Chez Jackson - Balance. I think it's hard in life as a general rule to find "the balance" - it's almost maybe even trendy to seek the elusive ... thing...{as if balance were a thing versus an act }... but we seek it.

So where does balance play in to sass? I think that as her mother, I must remain consistent with Pookie that we do not and will not tolerate poor treatment of others. It doesn't present itself so much in what is said as it does with how it is said. But it is often. And it enflames me.

Add to that, a general lackadaisical attitude towards the basic concept of work. I know we are not the first family in the world to deal with kids getting something out, using/eating/generally being responsible for it being out in one way or another, dropping it, then moving on without regard. Yet, I can't stand it. I feel like I am constantly going through the house picking up everyone else's junk. Plus my own. I busy myself cleaning one room only to turn around and see that the entire house is a disaster. It makes my blood pressure rise. There is no balance in fun vs. cleaning up the house when I am constantly cleaning the house. And please don't tell me these days of little ones are fleeting and the housework can wait - because that requires balance too, doesn't it? Or we would all be eating dry rice from a box while wearing ... well, nothing, neck deep in plastic McDonald's toys.

So lately, I have been seeking balance. A sense of everyone working together towards the relative success and happiness of our home and family. I have settled on nothing. We have tried rewards and punishments revolving around electronics, cash, goods, services, kissing your sister smack on the lips (forced affection - eegads!). I am almost constantly reinventing the wheel but the wheel is square. Or maybe a quadrangle (using those fourth grade math skills, baby! ... I digress). I insist that each kid has a 'zone' to clean and a chore to own, and the responsibility of picking up their things plus putting away their clothes. Then tonite, stuff comes falling out of the closet. That we spent the entire afternoon cleaning yesterday. And I am undone.

I lose my balance. Or is that my cool? {Is cool a direct correlation to balance?} The work of caring, managing, and maintaining this household - and imagine if there were more people about, or if the house were bigger!!! - is daunting on the best days. Sometimes the little things - boots, a sleeping bag, and a sweatshirt shoved into the closet are the proverbial straw that broke it, you know?

So I spend the entire night folding, sorting, and placing laundry in respective rooms instead of typing up pages and pages of directions and requirements and expectations of what should, is, and will be done before and after school. And then I blog about it.

And I wonder ~ about balance. About writing. About getting it right, what 'right' is, and just how do you get there, exactly?

And I think it probably starts with sleep.

edited to add: Seriously, I just clicked over to check my emails before heading to bed and what do I see but an article from Martha Stewart's daughter lashing out at her mother for expecting her to be 'perfect' throughout her childhood. And I get that I am a total perfectionist. So I struggle regularly, as well, with finding the balance between asking too much and asking too little of my kids. I really do. And some day, I want them to read all this and just realize that I was always trying to do my best - and I only expect them to do their best, as well. But sometimes your best means actually putting your sleeping bag, sweater, and boots away.

And then again. Sleep.

Static

2011-09-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

I am certain that a day or two from now I would write something pithy or cute or inspiring or funny. Two and three days pass while I wait for eloquence to pass from my head to my fingertips, but the days run together and today becomes tomorrow time and time again.

Nevertheless, today begs for words, even if they are too mundane to express the things of today. Hopeful that they make sense to someone. Even if it is only me in 20 years.

A fire returned today that had gone cold. And though I am strong and intelligent and an advocate and stay on top of things, some days I just feel beaten and dragged down and weak and done. I know Who wins in the end, but sometimes it is dark there in the middle. Maybe it's static on a TV from the 50s - sort of dark and light at the same time. Black and white.

None of this even matters. I want to photograph my fridge and tell my kids how my head swims when they all talk at the same time and how my heart swells when Mattie tells me he befriended "Jermy" today and won Presidential for doing serious push-ups. And T who does his math unlike other 4th graders who come up with "30" by adding 29 to 1 but T figures 5,962 divided by 16 minus 342.625 is 30 and Sash plays with her imaginary friend and tells her, "It's OK, noboby likes me either" { :( } and Pookie is healed and it's still static but it is clear. I have to write this blog. Life isn't hi-def. It's full of static. But these words - though they are senseless - are sometimes everything we have to bring in the channels more clearly.

Thank you God.

Day 12: 2.05

2011-09-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

It has been 12 long days since, starry eyed and full of hope and anticipation, we crossed the threshold of St. Louis Children's Hospital for Pookie's cath. I might say it's been 7 long days. The first five or so were more of an adventure.

The first few days we took walks to the garden and scoured the gift shop. Pookie finished homework and watched tv for fun.

These last few days even the glitter of hospital life has worn it's welcome for her. The garden is there and the gift shop is blasé. Homework is boring and so is tv.

But this morning, as I trudged past the nurse's station with my frozen mocha in my hand and two four cheese souffles in my bag from my now-habitual early morning run to Bread Co. right off campus, I asked with no regard for hoping, "are the results back?"

The nurse's smile was untelling...but in retrospect, it existed, which had to be a sign. "2.05," she crooned.

The numbers meant everything to us in these last two weeks. The numbers inside her heart that we came to fix. The numbers inside her blood that indicate how soon we can go home. Numbers.

We leave today without knowing much though many have asked - and I really do thank you for your continual prayers and messages. Pookie's opened all her cards now - and pretty much thinks she's a rock star.

But again, in terms of what we know, the message is unclear. With all due respect to the system here at the hospital - and let me say again, our experience has been stellar - there are a lot of cooks in the pot and we have purposely chosen to talk to our Head Chef. We see him on Wednesday, and I will update as I am able at that point.

What I know for now is that we are going home today, as soon as the white coats lay eyes on her. We are packed and ready to go. Pooks is calling all her friends to let them know and I am looking forward to a beautiful fall weekend. At home.

Thanks, and God bless,
Karin

Katydid

2011-09-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

A katydid. That's, apparently, what these bugs are called. I called Pooks out into the garage one afternoon to show her this amazing creature that God made for us to see. "I wonder what it is," I marveled.

"It's a katydid," my daughter responded without hesitation. "I read about it in a book."

That is one of the things I absolutely adore about my kids. They love science. They love to read every book they can get their hands on that teaches them about weather, nature, the earth, the stars ~ life beyond themselves. It's one thing that majorly frustrates me when my son's second grade teacher announces at curriculum night that they will be studying only 7 chapters from their very expensive, super thick science text books filled with lots of amazing facts to discover. But less than half the material will be covered in the book.

Life.

Whether it is our life or life beyond ourselves, it is a precious gift. I am reminded of that this week while I wait here in the hospital with Pookie to go back home to our real world. A world where we don't spend all day watching TV and dealing with blood draws and being woken over and over all night long and fearing what the future might bring. No. I want to go home where we can study the various critters that fly into our garage and make too many batches of pancakes with chocolate chips, strawberries, and whipped cream. I want to go home and live our lives.

Thankfully, it sounds like that's exactly what we get to do. Tomorrow.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your calls, your emails, your instant messages, your Facebook posts. Pookie and I have enjoyed reading every last one. {She thinks she's a pretty big deal ;)} The ballooning that was attempted in her heart did not quite work the way we'd hoped. That doesn't mean it won't work entirely, it just means for now we haven't made a lot of progress. And it means that Pookie still will not be allowed to run. Or ride her bike. Or participate in PE (to be honest, she's not too bummed about that last one.) And it does mean that she will be having open heart surgery. Number 7. (I told her I may have to rename the blog. And have another kid, if 6 wasn't going to be enough for her...) The question will be in how long we wait. For more answers, we go back to the cardiologist in 2 weeks.

In the meantime, we go home and covet the gift of life just a little bit more than we did last week. And we thank God for the outpouring of love we've felt this week.

We are truly blessed indeed.

~kj

When Two Worlds Collide

2011-09-13T04:31:00.000-07:00

Normal Life.

Heart Life.

Yesterday my little girl worked things out on the playground. After a year of struggling, Momma stepped in and talked to Momma. The girls decided to speak together alone. They demonstrated respect, responsibility, and maturity. I pray that it leads them in the right direction.

Tomorrow, the doctor will work things out in the operating room. After months of struggling. Momma stepped in and talked to Doctor. He decided this needed to be done. He demonstrated wisdom, experience, and compassion. I pray that it leads her in the right direction.

Will you join me in praying for my pookie today? Her heart has not been healthy and the doctor feels that widening her aortic valve can alleviate her symptoms and allow her heart to function better. She will be admitted today to run preliminary tests. Tomorrow, via the cath lab, they will be ballooning her valve.

Thank you.

Last Birthday Post of the Year {I promise}

2011-09-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

We let birthdays play on and on and on around here. At least it feels that way sometimes! My man and I went for a run/bike ride tonite and I took a very deep breath in and out, then said, "I am so happy this weekend is over!"

It's not that I don't love celebrating with my kids. And it really isn't that their parties even require too much work anymore. It's just...stressful. I don't know why. Probably the pressure of the time crunch more than anything, I suppose. Peppered with a nagging fear of the real potential for chaos (not a fan).

Yet, both evenings went off without a hitch - the boy's party Friday night and the girl's Saturday. All said and done, 10 hours allotted for each due to early morning prior engagements for us to fulfill (certainly adding their fair share to the over-all feeling of being crunched for time!!!).

Nevertheless, Tommy's version of a 10th birthday party, complete with Domino's bacon pizza and Pokemon cake, as requested:

I love the dimmed light, cake on fire photo look:

Actually, I think half the boys at the table breathed out heavily just to save Pikachu's li'l plastic nose from melting. And yes, I really did re-light the candles because they spontaneously blew them out too fast! (See the worried expression over there? What are you doing, Woman?! He'll burn! Oh the humanity! ;))

I consented to having the boys bring their DS game systems to the party. We let them play them during a portion of the evening ~ Tommy was super thrilled!!! And the boys were quiet and well-behaved all night.

I always love the 'whole room' shots...

We topped off the morning with pancakes with strawberries, chocolate chips and whipped cream, bacon, sausage, OJ and milk.

Yum!

We are seriously blessed to have these boys in our boy's life.

On to Pookie's party! Her friends arrived to pizza and cake, as well. But, Pooks is more of a fluffy and furry girl vs, lightning bolts and fighting Pikachus:

She insisted on Hello, Cupcake's pupcakes, just like Sashi had at her first birthday.

I even taught the girls how to make these li'l puppers themselves!

Again. Yum! ...And the obligatory dimmed light, candle lit photo, cuz I really do just love them:

OK, I actually didn't completely lose the Pikachu tail-burning phenomena, did I?

Pookie's wish was to watch Soul Surfer with her friends. She is a HUGE fan of that movie ~ we can't wait for A Dolphin Tail to come out later this month!

It was a classic slumber party, with girls up watching TV til way too late at night. Whereas all the boys were up and ready to eat in the wee early morning hours, these girls had to be called ~~twice~~ three times to their breakfast (of pancakes, chocolate chips, strawberries and whipped cream, bacon and sausage, OJ and milk ... ... it's down to a science, ladies.)

Still, we are just as blessed to have these girls' in our girl's life:

And now, on to the last days of summer and beginning of fall....
~kJ

Friends Since Seventh Grade

2011-09-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

When I was little, my mom and I lived in a farming/college town in northern Missouri. My mom was a real estate agent there. We lived in a big two story house on a busy thorough-fare through town. We had plum trees in our backyard and wild raspberries. We used to keep a key hanging just inside the garage door so I could let myself in after school.

At some point, maybe 6th grade, I think, my mom got a job two hours away - in Kansas City. It was a good, steady job with benefits. She began commuting there five days per week. And yes, I said it was two hours away.

I remember during this time setting my old white, buzzer alarm clock for 4:00 in the morning and sitting, dazed, on the edge of the toilet seat with my eyes closed while my mom french braided my hair. On the days I wanted a french braid. Then I'd go back to my room, reset my alarm for a more normal hour, very carefully sleep so as not to mess up the braid, then get up again when my alarm went off to get my breakfast and make my own lunch, knowing my mom was almost at the office - me in Maryville and her in Kansas City.

This went on for quite some time because I didn't want to move. And my mom never made me. She just woke up day after day and drove hours and hours to make a living. It's just what she did.

Then one day my best friend Sara told me she was moving to Cowgill, Missouri. The next day I told my mom I was ready to move to Kansas City.

I remember my first day at Pleasant Lea Junior High. I was way out of my league. The young lady who showed me around - who happened to be cousins of one of my classmates in Maryville! - wore a starched white cotton top with a pale yellow peasant skirt. And matching pale yellow pumps. And yellow fashion earrings.

I wore a white romper with tri-color buttons on my shoulders that I'd sewn myself and who knows what on my feet.

Luckily, God had mercy on me that day. Or, at least, within three days He did. Because on my third day at my new school, I met Cherrie (pronounced like the little red fruit - "cherry"). Cherrie and I were inseparable best friends every day for the rest of our lives. Well, at least until we were juniors in high school. And then we did the unthinkable. We let a boy come between us. And then Cherrie moved away our senior year. But during freshman week at college, we found each other again. We also found our husbands. And through the years, we found a kid. Or two. Or eight.

This weekend, Cherrie and her family came and spent some time with us. I'm telling you. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have her as my friend.

Love you girl!
~k

Double Digits

2011-09-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

Some kids we know celebrated a pretty significant birthday yesterday.

The twins turned 10. It really does seem hard to believe. 10 years. {pause} "It goes too quickly," quotes the elderly woman in the checkout lane. We all know it's true.

One of my little people - who isn't little, cuz, you know, he's like 10 now - desperately wanted this day to be something special. I get that. I truly wanted to give him that special day, as well.

So I spent four hours Sunday night blowing up balloons (which I threw all over their beds and floor to their rooms while they slept as well as taping them to the door frames) and baracading their doorways:

We took them to breakfast - SURPRISE! Bread Co. And then let them open the cards that had piled up over the last week and the presents from Dad and me.

The rest of the day we put them to work. Did you know when you're 10 you're old enough to pick up the dog doo in the backyard? True story.

Never fear, however. It was all in the name of party. And some of the work was fun. See?

She did a such great job. I love that {almost all} my kids love to bake with me!

[And I love that my friends help me eat leftover cupcakes when the two children born of my womb at the same moment (or no more than 1 minute apart, anyway) have such differing personalities as to insist on two separate kinds of cake. And frosting. {...who am I kidding? Twice the Y.U.M.!!!}]

The real fun began at 4:00 when the family began arriving. Presents presents presents! That's what matters when you're turning 10, really. So we didn't wait long before we let them start tearing into their gifts! {They'd earned it with those smelly backyard bags, anyway!}

Before it grew too late in the day, we gathered on the porch for the obligatory, annual family photo:

These kids are pretty darn fortunate to have some very awesome grandparents!

And then it was time to sing and eat cake.

At the end of the night, Tommy grabbed me in a spontaneous and genuine bear hug. He said, "Mom? This was the best birthday ever."

I had to smile and agree.

Katelyn's Camera

2011-08-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Immaculate Thursday brought us into Pookie's closet near the end of summer break. And look what I found! Stuffed under a box of unmentionables (because they were unidentifiable odds and ends of toy gadgetry) was this beloved gem:

Last year, after visiting the St. Louis Zoo and becoming a sea lion trainer for a day, Pookie came home and transformed her room into a show stage. She trained stuffed animal sea lions on paper rocks with a doll audience and her sister as her assistant. Then, she made this camera out of cardstock and drew images on a paper roll of film of all the things she had seen and done while at the zoo:

She thread the filmstrip through a hole in the back of the camera, so she could "see" the image as she snapped each photo.

I hated to lose the memory of this first camera.

These days, Pookie can just as often be seen doing this as I am:

And I just have to tell you, I think she is a great young photographer!

Not a fan of reptiles? How about big fish?

Or posing ducks?

OK, gorgeous flora?

Regardless, I love them all! (And believe me, she takes a million of them! She loves it!) But my favorite is this one ~ because there aren't many photos that exist of me since I'm usually the one behind the camera. Plus, with just one of my kids and with his meatball expression. Love. Love. Love. I'm so grateful that my Pookie loves taking photos just as much as I do!

on overcoming my fear of roller coasters

2011-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

I don't think we should call it 'fear' - the feelings I have towards roller coasters. It's more just an intense dislike. I have never actually liked them. But I certainly have ridden them before, so it's not like a paralyzing fear...or any kind of fear. It's just, in the scheme of choosing to take them or leave them, roller coasters could have been left off God's ultimate plan for the world, and I would have been just fine.

We made our annual pilgrimmage to Six Flags with the big kids the week before school started again this year. I may have had something to prove this time. Last year, Meiners - my dare devil middle child who is deathly afraid of most theme park rides - and I mutually decided to ride The Screaming Eagle. Together. And by mutual I mean Dad. And by decided I mean told us to. Cuz, apparently, when you become nauseous while looking into your purse riding in the van through the subdivision that's how weak your stomach is, you're just a chicken if you don't ride roller coasters. And I'm no chicken. (But that seriously is how weak my stomach is.)

So last year, Meiners and I mustered the courage to find ourselves in line to ride The Screaming Eagle. Our pulses raced while we gave each other tentative high fives and fist pumps. And then it was our turn. The gates swung open. I took a step forward. Somebody hurled. The gates closed. The ride remained closed for approximately 7.52 minutes while the teenaged workers cleaned up a spill on aisle 8 left by someone exiting said Screaming Eagle. It was just enough time for me to absolutely lose my mind. I took one look at Meiners. I took one look at The Screaming Eagle. I took one look at Dad, shook my head no and burst into grown-up sized sobs. I grabbed Meiners' hand and left The Screaming Eagle dock in one big fat hurry.

I have not lived that down for the last 12 months.

Yes, I did have something to prove this year when we returned to Six Flags. But this time I had a plan. I had extensively quizzed my roller coaster loving friends on which ride would be the best. I knew my first order of business for the entire day had to be riding a roller coaster. I took Pookie (the ultimate goader) by the hand right after they smiled for Scooby Doo, and I led her straight to The Boss. (Much to her thrill and excitement. That girl L.O.V.E.S. roller coasters. The faster and scarier the better. Heart condition and all {and yes - she has special permission from her cardiologist to ride them.} I don't know how she is mine.) We waited in line. The gate opened. I paused. No one vomited; I stepped into the car. I sat down. I clutched the lap guard across my legs. I looked down. I braced myself. I pinched my eyes closed.

I opened my eyes again approximately 4.92 minutes later when the ride came to a complete stop. I stood, climbed out of the car, grabbed the waiting Meiners by the hand (nope, he wouldnt' ride it), and I ran out the door, shaking and sobbing, promising never to ride another death-defying metal ball of awful again.

The end.

What I learned from my high school reunion

2011-08-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

Early in August, Hubs and I spent a weekend in Kansas City again - this time sans kids. We went for my high school reunion.

me and my cutie ready to go!

I have been anticipating this event, like, forever. High School was my all-time favorite school experience. John says college is his, but I. Loved. High School. (That may be the reason why I still love all 3 versions of High School Musical, most of the squeaky clean Disney shows, anything teen romance, etc. etc. etc. I'm a sucker for that stuff.)

that's my signature - 20 years ago - smack in the middle of the tarp someone saved just for this night!
how surreal is that? and I still make my smiley faces that exact same way to this day. who knew?

So the fact that it was coming this summer nearly made me giddy. It probably would have actually made me giddy, but everyone I knew in high school - really knew - wasn't coming. I was bummed. I decided to stick to my guns and attend regardless. I didn't hear from one or two key people, so I held out hope that they would make it. And I knew that no matter what, it would be a nice night out with my husband - who can literally talk to anyone - so I bought the dress, paid for the tickets, booked the room, and off we went.

My 20 year high school reunion was an evening to remember. Not so much in the way I thought it would be, but I learned something pretty valuable. At least to me. I learned that people really don't change much, and yet we're all much more than we were two decades ago. Fundamentally, we were still the same people we were in 1991 - just better versions of our younger selves - I mean sure, some are a bit rounder, more with facial hair, real jobs, that sort of thing. It probably seems like a small discovery. But for whatever reason, the realization that time marched on and we grew up along with the tide of time was incredibly enlightening, a bit humbling, and a whole dose of wonderful.

friends from 20 years ago

Now, if I could only convince my kids of the wisdom that 20 years provides. That hairstyles come. And go. (Thankfully!) And they don't make you who you are. Neither do your clothes. Or the house you lived in. I want to tell them that the 'nerdy' kid on the bus or the playground or in the seat near you is a) not 'nerdy' and b) will totally grow into those ears and c) will probably be making way more money than the rest of of the class combined. Oh and he will totally marry a hot chick. I want them to know that friends are more important than romance at their age. The girl that *hates* you today? Will turn out totally cool and fun to be around. And no matter what? No matter what - "You are kind. You are smart. You are important." (from the movie The Help.)

Thank you, LSHS Class of 1991, for the lessons, the memories, and an over-all wonderful evening.

~k

The Paperchain Doesn't Lie.

2011-08-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

And it has two rings left.

Two days.

Until school starts again.

Holy cow. How did that happen?

In these last few days, we've visited the arch at sunset, the zoo for early morning stingray feedings, the Magic House for mayhem with friends, and church for spiritual refreshment. The final two days we'll be heading to Krispy Kreme, spending hours and hours in front of the TV watching the Disney channel, and playing video games until our eyes go blurry before that first bell rings Wednesday morning.

Here's to the last hours of summer freedom. Here's to another amazing summer spent with my four most favorite people in the world. Here's to living a beautiful life.

And here's to not running in circles with too much on our plate like my little friend the ant up there. Poor thing.

The Great Debate

2011-08-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

There is a great debate going on in my head, more like an epic battle, maybe just a seesaw, but decisions are needing to be made. They feel like life-changing decisions, and, I suppose, in a way, they are.

We have always been a 'one activity per child' family. It's a simple concept, really. Having four kids and a single income, certain limitations are necessary for a reasonably balanced life with extracurriculars.

In the past, Mr. T has been our karate guy. We encouraged this activity initially because Mr. T is a gentle spirit and we believed he would benefit from the self defense, competition, and self confidence that is learned through karate. Over the years, he has grown to love it! And he loves his teacher. But we've come to a point where we feel he needs to be challenged more and the current situation is not cutting it.

This summer we were blessed to find an incredible private swim instructor for a completely reasonable rate --- and she comes to our house! Interestingly, Mr. T has become quite a swimmer. After just 3 lessons, he tested at the highest swim level recently at Boy Scout camp. Seriously, for a kid who really lacks interest in sports and most things outdoors, he excels at swimming!

Which brings me to my point, really. I'm considering having T try out for a local swim team. That meets three nights per week. And I'm having a very hard time deciding if this is the right thing to do. When I asked him about it, he said, "I know you're very excited about it Mom. And I could make new friends and get exercise..." {I love that kid.} I'm just really struggling with the 3x per week commitment that goes all year. I mean, last year the kids all participated in Upward Basketball in the winter which was great for T, and I'd like to do that again...but swimming is already 3x per week. (Incidentally, changing karate dojos would translate to 3 practices per week, also. Plus a few thousand dollars up front. {Hello?! Is it like that everywhere, or just in St. Louis?!})

So, there's the great debate. Take T out of something he loves but isn't challenging him or really even teaching him beyond an elementary form of karate and put him into something he might enjoy and may truly benefit from but that puts serious time constraints on the family? Or sit out extras entirely this year? Or maintain status quo and put him back in the same karate class he's been in for the last 3 years that isn't challenging him or teaching beyond a 'fun' form of run-around-the-room-and-kick karate??

In the scheme of things, it's not life or death or rocket science. But it's my Mr. T. I want to do what will make him happy and what is best for him, while also balancing what is best for the family as a whole. I've tried to talk to the parents of some of his buddies, but no one in his group of friends is interested in swim team for us to pursue a 'carpooling' scenario.

*sigh* Motherhood. The toughest job you'll ever love.

<3

Coming Home

2011-08-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, August meant coming home. My parents were divorced when I was very young, and due to the whole custody thing, I spent every summer in South Dakota on my dad's farm, whereas I lived with my mom through the school year in Missouri. And I loved coming home to Missouri in August.

Summers were fun - hanging out with my brothers, driving the pickup through ditches, watching the flax fields burst open with color as the sun came up, eating brand new wheat kernels as they spewed from the combine into the back of the truck - flicking nasty grasshoppers with their sticky legs off of me as they flew around that truck...I could possibly devote an entire blog to the awesomeness that was summer-life on a farm for a kid. At least for me.

But returning to Missouri, with the heaviness of humidity in the air, the sonic rhythm of cicadas in the trees, the sound of cars busily passing on the city streets outside my open upstairs bedroom window...those are sweet, sweet memories, as well. Memories of coming home in August.

The cicadas are singing in the trees again. The humidity is oppressive. And we're heading home - at least into the home stretch. The final days of summer.

Nowadays August means paper chains counting down the final days before school, inventorying school supplies, replacing thread-bare tennis shoes with new Skechers, deciding whether or not to buy jeans now or to wait for the fall growth spurt. It's all a matter of coming home. Bringing the girls' beds back upstairs, settling in to earlier bedtimes, finalizing swim lessons and baseball games.

We're in the home stretch. And it feels like home.

It feels like August.

Proof that I really am making my kids read and do math every day this summer

2011-07-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Sitting here tonite listening to bombs bursting in air out my window in celebration of the 4th of July, I'm more than a little astounded that we've reached this summer milestone already. I worry and wonder if we're just doing too much - too much 'schedule' and not enough 'free time' this summer Then I consider what we've scheduled and I take a moment to step back and let myself relax - again. After-all, what I insist the kids finish each morning is making their beds and brushing their teeth, two pages in their math workbook and a chore (like vacuuming the living room or cleaning out the dish washer). In the afternoon while Sashi rests for an hour, all the kids are expected to read quietly. The rest of our days - when the weather is decent - we can be found by the pool - or participating in one of our 'themed days' - depending on the day. Certainly that can't be all bad. It certainly does make time fly, though. And I guess that's why I worry. Maybe we should be bored and sit around all day. Would that make me feel like a better mother? Seriously. Maybe on this mid-summer night, I need to take a breath, thank God for summer and for time with my kids - even the growing pains we're experiencing this year with maturing personalities - and enjoy it.

What about you? Is your summer flying by or are you finding yourself searching for activities to keep everyone out of trouble?

More Last Tuesday Stuff

2011-07-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Man oh man is there a lot to talk about during the summer! I'm getting further and further behind in my posts (I still have Father's Day stuff to talk about!) so I'm going for the "more bang for your buck" blogpost and showing you the rest of our Kansas City trip (before it's this Tuesday already)!

One of my favorite places to visit in Kansas City is the Steamboat Arabia. It's basically one of 100s of boats that sank on the Missouri River in the 1800s. The boat was fully loaded when it sank, so when they found it and dug it up (in the middle of a corn field) several years ago, they unearthed a 19th century storehouse of wares. We're talking pickles - still edible, butter - still smelled fresh, dishes, hats, nails, door knobs, saws, boots, buttons, needles, pots, pans ... and 27 cents in change. They have been cleaning the items for 15 years and project 10 more years of cleaning. (They keep everything frozen before it gets cleaned.) The museum is the first of its kind to restore fresh water sunken treasures. It's really quite amazing.

Everything you see in the pictures was found under a cornfield on a sunken steamboat
headed for towns upriver in 1856! Some towns didn't survive as a result of the wares not arriving.
(Building supplies, food, etc.)

Lots of fun was had by all! But we were hungry and needed to move on...

Kansas City, of course, is known for its barbeque. We chose Arthur Bryants this time. All four of the kids shared ONE sandwich - that's how huge they are!

Tuesday we visited the top-rated place to take your kids in KC - Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. I don't remember this place from my childhood...oh wait. I'd never been there before! It opened in 1978, but was renamed for a fallen police officer in 1985. Pretty cool place. We didn't get to everything the kids wanted to do, but it's always good to leave something for next time, right?

The kids loved panning for gold. Errr...precious gems. I've told the kids stories of panning for gold in The Black Hills of South Dakota as a kid (at tourist traps - not as a prospector or anything like that), so they were pretty darn excited to dump their sand into the pans at this farm.

So, there was fool's gold and some other cool rocks - T was disappointed a little (due to the We Buy Gold guys that stand out in front of those stores lately and Daddy telling them how much gold is worth...), but the rocks were still cool!

And horseback riding!

We missed fishing at Deanna Rose, but we made it to the American Girl Store.

Meiners was thrilled. See him here, hiding in the bushes before we went in? (and by 'we' and 'went in' I mean the girls went in to American Girl - the boys continued to hide in the corners...)

One girl went shopping.

One girl did not...

...Pooks was in a little trouble and wasn't allowed to shop...

Then home we went. From start to finish, the trip lasted 36 hours.

We sure enjoyed this whirlwind Traveling Tuesday!

Friends are Friends Forever

2011-06-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

I am so fortunate to have visited three lifelong friends over the last year whom I had not seen individually or collectively for years. I am so fortunate to have people in my life who I consider lifelong friends.

Recently, my friend Cherrie - my friend since 7th grade - posted this quote on her Facebook wall:

everlasting friends go long periods of time without speaking and never question their friendship. These friends pick up like they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how far away they live, and they don't hold grudges. They understand that life is busy… and… you will ALWAYS love them.

This week I reunited with another friend - from college - whom I hadn't seen since her oldest (now 11) was a newborn. And the meeting was pristine.

First, the best part of the photo above is the cropped portion:

(our two 9 year-olds searching for snails in the mulch!)

Then, Kathleen suggested Yogurtini - which is basically a frozen yogurt bar {YUM!}. With dozens (let's call it a quillion) flavor choices and endless topping choices (YUM times a quillion!). I had to squelch a few Littles from putting me in the poorhouse with all their sugar-in-a-bowl (you pay by the ounce)!

not too sugary-sweet

truthfully only missing the kitchen sink

And finally, just talking, and catching up, and letting the kids run around and get to know each other...was a tangible reminder that this is what life is about: connections. There's a reason that we go through what we do and we know who we know and our paths and lives are entertwined the way they are. Once or a million times. The people in our lives matter.

And sometimes? Sometimes we are blessed to have Friends - who are friends Forever.

Just for fun...

snail races, of course

On Going Home.

2011-06-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

We traveled farther this Tuesday than any other this summer. Hubs had a business trip to Kansas City and suggested we come along for the ride. At first I was a little wishy washy. I grew up in Kansas City. What could we possibly do that would be fun?

:: Hahaha ::

Then I realized I was missing an opportunity to share my hometown with my kids - who really are interested in knowing who we were 'when we were kids' {which really just doesn't seem like that long ago... Until you drive down the streets of your old town and can't find your high school. I could have sworn they'd moved it. Sort of.}

Nowadays, my 'little' hometown sports 4 high schools - there was one when I lived there. The old movie theatre where all the action was on any given Friday night - gone. There may or may not be a strip mall there now. Or a bank. Or a DollarGeneral. I never did find the exact spot. {Does that mean I really am old? Or just forgetful? Or it has changed literally that much?? Yeah. I'm going with number c).} Pizza Hut where everyone went on their first date? Gone. Taco Bell where everyone went after school? Gone.

It was an oddly horrific feeling driving around and sort of knowing where we were. But not. Remembering - oh! There's Leigh McKeighan Park. OK, that's Unity Village and there's John Knox Village and wow! Dave Cross is still in business?!

And I'm well aware that none of this means a thing to anyone out there --- except Frizzy --- but to say, seriously. We've lived off our road for going on 15 years. I'm pretty sure it looks exactly the same today as it did when we moved here.

What a wonderful opportunity Hubs gave me to travel back in time - and to share it with my kids. I have lots more to share this week. I actually snapped a kajillion photos in 36 hours - 10 of which were in the car, 8 sleeping, you do the math....and yet I wish I'd taken more. One of the high school. Of the track and the door we used to march out of playing the Fight Song. Of the PAC which has a new door. Of the old apartment. Of the place where the movie theatre used to be. (I think.) Of ... ... everything. So I don't forget for real.

I guess, fortunately, it really is 20 years this year since I graduated from high school (*gasp!*), so I'll be going back for the reunion. And seeing who I remember and who I don't. I'm just hopeful that I remember people more then than I did the places.

Traveling Tuesday 6/21

2011-06-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

The Marines have landed in St. Louis!

We spent this past Tuesday traveling to downtown St. Louis city. I heard the Marines were in town and I wanted the kids to see the Marine Corps Band - so off we went!

The best part for me was listening to John Philip Sousa's Stars & Stripes played by the Marine Corps Band in view of the Court House and The Arch. In high school, the greatest honor for a flute player was to be allowed to play the piccolo solo of this song during the final concert of the year. It was an emotional, annual event. To this day, I get goose bumps listening to the dog fight and then the piccolos...The best - best part Tuesday was when one of the kids unabashedly exclaimed, "That was fun!" as the last note played.

I'm pretty sure the kids thought seeing Fredbird was the best part of the day - and receiving Cardinals tickets from him for the next night's game! You would've thought they'd won the lottery. And they did go to the game - at least the three big kids and their dad (Fredbird gave them 4 tickets), so Sash and I went to Oberweis and took a veeeerrrrryy long walk around the neighborhood!

Oh - and let's not forget, handling real Marine weapons.

And climbing into real Marine vehicles.

I did hear that the ceremony to attend is the Sunset Parade complete with the Silent Drill Platoon and the Marine Corps Band Saturday night. If you go, you have to tell me about it!

Blessings,
k

The Importance of Regular Check-ups

2011-06-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

June has been hectic. So much for a relaxing summer vacation. Between VBS and Smart Start Mondays and all the vacuuming and laundry and violin lessons and baseball practices we have going on, I barely find that I have time to breathe! But, part of our busyness - OK, all of it actually - has been self-inflicted. For instance, I've scheduled all the kids' well visits this month (doctor, dentist, eyes). At the time I scheduled them I thought I was pretty smart. Now I'm just pretty exhausted. But, a recent visit to the eye doctor proved that all the running is worth-while.

I have one kid who complains constantly. My side hurts. My ear hurts. My throat hurts. My left eye is blurry. My right eye is teary. It's always something - which, quite honestly, sort of makes it hard to tell when it really is something. So with all the complaining about vision lately, I figured it was time to get us all back to the eye doctor.

Well surprise me silly and call me Willy when two kids (including my complainer) skated through the appointment with flying colors. But when T walked in (he never complains - about anything! <3) and started randomly calling out letters, I turned around and gave him that maternal, "Stop screwing around" look that we all have down-pat. Until I realized he wasn't kidding around.

We left with a prescription in hand and a loving talk about how it's perfectly wonderful to wear glasses and how much brighter the world is now that he will be able to see.

Well, and then his brother tried to make him feel better with a heart-felt discussion about how he really is a nerd now because he's smart AND he wears glasses (which double qualifies you as genius, as we all know), only he didn't really realize that 'nerd' is a negative word and everyone in the van was reduced to tears either from crying or laughing.

Which is just, apparently, how we roll.

How Girls on the Run Made Pookie Fearless

2011-06-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

The following is an essay Pookie wrote about her experience training and running a 5K with Girls on the Run this spring. She didn't win the essay contest (even though I totally think she should have) so now I can post it here!

Enjoy!

My heart pounds, my legs shake, and my lungs are on fire! Well, that's what I used to fear about running.

Running used to make me feel depressed. It was so hard. I would always come in close to last. My P.E. teacher said everyone in my class had to finish running a lap in 3 minutes, but she would always say to me, "That doesn't mean you, Pookie."

You see, I was born with a hole in my heart. I've had 6 open heart surgeries to fix it, so running has always been hard for me. My doctor told me not to run long distances.

Then I heard about Girls on the Run and I really wanted to join. I thought it would help me practice so running would not be as hard for me. I didn't have to be fast, and that was good! My doctor said yes!

I'm still not the fastest, but running is getting easier. Now I'm finishing a lap in P.E. in under 3 minutes! I've made new friends and I've learned really cool new cheers. We've learned a lot of healthy habits, too!

When I run, my heart still pounds, my legs still shake, and my lungs still feel like they are on fire, but I'm not afraid of that any more. Thanks to Girls on the Run, now I'm fearless!

Professional Baker?

2011-06-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my friend asked me to bake a large order of cupcakes for her daughter's post-wedding reception. Oh my goodness was I excited!

We knew immediately that one cupcake would be the strawberry with strawberry buttercream and chocolate butterflies. From a list of about a dozen flavor choices, my friend also requested amaretto and snickerdoodle. What a fun trio! I spent the two weeks prior to the event baking up a storm. Literally. And loving every minute!

I took the amaretto cupcake and frosting recipe from The Primrose Bakery and filled them for fun with a white chocolate creme filling that I actually also used in Sashi's strawberry-flavored ballerina cake. (Yum-oH!) I highly recommend Ghirardelli white chocolate chips - even over Callebaut white chocolate (which I actually didn't like at all!) if you try this recipe. I also added coursely chopped, roasted almonds to the chocolate cream to accentuate the almond flavor and to add texture.

:)

The Snickerdoodle cupcake proved a little persnickety and required a couple of trials. My first attempt came from Martha's Cupcake cookbook - and this time the taste tester (my husband) gave me a big thumbs down.

In the end, I used this muffin recipe. I researched (yes I did!) whether a muffin could be used as a cupcake and officially decided that, because the line between the two is blurry, if you top it with frosting and call it cake, then it is cake. :) (Cupcake wisdom by Karin. Amen.)

The morning of the party, I finally settled on a frosting - my bloggy friend Daiana's vanilla bean buttercream - and through the help of my friends on Facebook, went with a rich cinnamon cream in the middle of these. Pookie helped me with the decorating - a Pirouette cookie and cinnamon sugar sprinkles.

It took a village, but it sure was fun!

Later that weekend, I made margarita cupcakes for Father's Day.

And then I retired from my professional baking career.

...unless someone else wants me to try a recipe?
;)

Just for Fun

2011-06-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Last week I sat at the deck table taking in the sights of the kids enjoying the pool when a pesky mosquito landed on my arm. And then ran up it. Which is atypical of a mosquito - who usually land {bite you} and then fly off, right? Can they even run?

Imagine my surprise when I instead discovered my pesky mosquito was the world's tiniest preying mantis. Here, see for yourself!

See him there?

Closer?

He was the funniest little guy you could ever imagine. I'm not kidding when I tell you he did the absolute funniest little dance - complete with hip waves and head snaps. Too awesome. I loved it. I called Pooks over and we enjoyed snapping a dozen pictures of this spirited little guy. Before he disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived.

God's creations are truly remarkable.

A Ballerina Birthday Cake

2011-06-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

For Sashi's birthday cake, I really wanted to do something special.

For the better part of the last six months, every time I put her down for a nap, Sash would ask, "Why do I have to take a nap?"

"Because you are three," I consistently answered.
This always initiated a sweet exchange of ideas about what one does when one is three, versus, say, when one is four. So, when Sash turned four, she was under the misguided impression that she no longer needed to take naps.
She also knew that four meant taking ballet.

Now, when Pooks was 2 or 3, she took ballet. But, agree with me here - the baby of the family doesn't always get what the bigger kid got {and vice versa} and we (I) just never signed Sashi up for dance lessons. {Bad Mommy.}

But, for her birthday, we gave her (hand-me-down) ballet slippers and dance gear, ...along with some really cool photo albums of all her previous birthdays.
Here...Li'l Roo is perusing one said birthday book at the family party:

So, back to the ballet story. And cake.

I knew I wanted to do something special for Sashi's birthday cake, so I decided to make her a ballerina. My friend Melissa at A Little Loveliness once said that every girl deserves at least one Barbie cake.

This was Sashi's year.

And my very first attempt.

After perusing the web, I felt ridiculously incompetent to make a Ballerina Barbie cake.

And my first attempt failed. Yes, after baking my bowl for over an hour, when I went to flip the cake out, cake batter came pouring out of the center. At 1AM.

Fail.

Here's what we bought the next morning:

Pretty.

Here's what their faces looked like when they ate that totally-healthy-and-surely-good-for-you-flourescent frosting:

Second attempts at the ballerina cake went a little better. Mostly. And just to prove it, here's Sashi's face when she saw her Ballerina cake in the fridge:

And here it is in all it's purple ballerina-esque glory:

Not tooooo bad for a first attempt. And frosting that wasn't supposed to be refrigerated before piping it.

I learned a lot. And Sashi loved it.

That's all that matters.

~Karin

:: How to Make {Diva} Flip Flops ::

2011-06-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

How cute are these feet? I know!

You can't even see those finely pedicured tootsies under those ADORABLE BOWS! You wanna know how we made those, right? Right?

I let Sash have 'a friend party' last week. A party of one ---> her BFF Miss R. {As our beloved preschool teacher Miss Jane always says, "You wrap it up and put a hat on it and [to a preschooler] it's a party!" I l.o.v.e. that!} At the last minute - as always - we decided our 'goody bag' should be filled with Diva Flip Flops. So ~~ without further adieu ~~

:: How to Make Diva Flippy Flops ::

First and foremost, Meiners and I watched this video that completely explains the ribbon-into-bow process in real-time. Feel free to watch her and enjoy her southern drawl.

Then come back 'cuz here's our bow-making process for Sashi and her BFF's birthday 'party' take-homes.

First ~ Wrap.

Pinch and stitch.

Repeat.

Stitch all ribbons together in desired layers.

Wrap thread around the ribbon bundle and pull tightly. Knot.

Take another string and use it to crisscross wrap the bow onto the flippy flop. Tie tightly.

Now, here's where we deviated from the Mickey Mouse diva flippies that Meiners made. For the teacher's custom fabric-wrapped buttons, we used this button maker from Hobby Lobby - after ironing on pre-fab stitched monograms also purchased there. BUT, for S&R, Sashi found PINK pre-fabbed monogram pins that she insisted we use. So - once the ribbons were securely attached, we stuck the pins in. It might be wise to glue the pin part shut to avoid future oops-sticks. We'll have to do that {Note to Kimberly}. In the meantime...voila!

Diva Flippies.
Enjoy!

Teacher Gifts 2011

2011-06-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

For the end of school year teacher gifts this year, I asked each child what they wanted to give their teachers.

Every year I swear I'm not doing end of year gifts. And every year, at the last minute, I realize another year has past while my kids sat in a classroom for more hours than they sat at my table or in my van and I acknowledge that our teachers deserve a grateful gift of thanks. So we come up with some crafty plan that I insist they make, and we fret and fight and pull it together in the end. This year was no exception. Except I didn't come up with the plan - other than to tell the kids to come up with something.

Pookie {my mini me} immediately decided a cake. She truly did an amazing job. I messed up her frosting by having her make it the night before and then adding too much milk to help it regain its spreadability the morning of the gifting. I prayed fervently all day that it would hold up and appear edible by day's end ;)

Beautiful, isn't it?

Meiners didn't hesitate when he declared, "Flip flops!" for his beloved first grade teacher. I immediately agreed, knowing these would be perfect (we made them here, too). The humorous part of this story is that I pulled Meiners over to watch this video on the web showing how to make bows. Incredulously, he asked, "I have to make the bows??" He actually quickly embraced the task, even insisting that my design plan of two bows was just not enough for Mrs. M's always-pedicured tootsies. "It's not enough!" he declared and disappeared into the basement. He reemerged with a final coordinating color of ribbon and made these - not bad for a sports fanatic, girl fearing, man's boy {Teacher is a HUGE Mickey fan ;)} She LOVED them, by the way ~ and put them on her feet immediately!

Mr T decided on a gift card to a running store for his teacher the runner. She was so excited, she promised to pick out a flavor of Gu and to think of him on her half-marathon attempt in California this month.

Sashi chose flowers for her teachers - in their favorite colors of red and purple. {I love that she knows their favorite colors!}

Anyway, that's what we did this year! Stay tuned this week and I promise to show you how to make a pair of those fancy flipflops! Too easy and incredibly cute!

See ya soon!
k

Last Tuesday's Travels

2011-06-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

My friend asked me to take pictures of her family before her exchange student returned to Germany recently. Then the temperature soared over 100 degrees and the photo shoot was scratched for health reasons. In an effort to salvage the opportunity to snap lasting photos of these sweet ladies, I racked my brain for alternative {indoor} locations aside from our original plan to meet at the Missouri Botanical Garden (free to county residents Wednesdays before noon!). I quickly remembered The Jewel Box.

I took the twins there when they were about 18 months-old to see an azalea exhibit at Eastertime. It was gorgeous. Small, but stunning. Although it costs $1 during the week to enter this historic building in beautiful Forest Park, it is free from 9 til noon Monday and Tuesday mornings. And it's air conditioned! Unfortunately, our photo shoot did not work out, but I talked myself into taking the kids there before heading to the zoo last week for our first Tuesday of Travel.

I'm so grateful for the idea and the time spent. Pookie snapped dozens of photos of flowers (her favorite photography subject), and I took dozens of photos of the kids! We had a great time - and learned a little history about this once bustling, rotating garden of extravagance.

Pookie's Photography

Mommy's Photography

Aterward, we reentered the wonderful world of heat and visited the Korean War Memorial. The kids climbed around the giant sun dial {I'm still not sure how it tells the time} that aptly states, "It's time to remember."

Pookie took this photo, too:

Stunning.

I forced the kids to take just a few more photos before we headed to the zoo - way too late and way too hot. But these images were well worth it!

These two were a little squirrelly - as I am discovering they are most of this summer. They did give me this, at least...

...before degenerating to this:

And I really just don't even know what to say about this one:

When we'd all had enough, we headed off to the zoo. {The best /free/ zoo in the world.}

Meiners gets in on the Photo Action

By noon we were all sweaty and exhausted and ready to go back to the van for lunch and home for an afternoon swim.

Baby is 4

2011-06-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

I don't suppose I can legitimately call her "Baby Sashi" anymore, can I? I mean, four?! Four is Big Kid Stuff. It's when she becomes a ballerina. And doesn't take naps. {According to Baby.} But really? Really she'll always be my baby. Just like I'm my momma's baby. {And yes, she does still introduce me as such.} Even though Sashi complains and argues that she's not a baby now - she's Four!!! {insert exasperated toddler voice} - one day she'll find it endearing. Especially when she has a baby that will always be her baby. Then she will understand for sure. In the meantime, here are four amazing things we love about our baby girl.

1. She is quite seriously the best worker we have. Yesterday, before her big family party, I gave Sashi a wet washcloth, four dirty kitchen chairs, and free reign of the kitchen sink. Without any monetary or other external motivation {all things required for the Big Kids to get to work}, she made those chairs sparkle. I only wish I'd gotten a picture of her in action. She takes her work quite seriously.

2. She is quite a mathemetician. I just love the way she calls, "Easy! Easy! Easy!" when Daddy gives her a math problem at breakfast. Then he gives her a tough one, but she holds her chubby little fingers up with the chipped nail polish of myriad rainbow colors and proceeds to add and subtract numbers to the correct answer. She is almost always correct. And always very proud.

3. She loves to sing and dance {but refuses to be videotaped performing, much to my chagrin}. I love how she runs up to me and asks me to watch her 'ballerina dance' - that always consists of the same choppy little leg lifts and askewed twirls amidst that beautiful little grin.

4. She is really growing up. I marvel at the Sashi of yesteryear who would scream and cry and carry on. When the door opened at Target. Or who screamed and cried and carried on. Because it wasn't Mommy holding her. She's still a momma's girl - don't let me kid you. And we still have some behaviors here and there (like Thursday, when I said, "No" to waffles for breakfast). But anytime I'm in the kitchen, she asks if she can help. She independently feeds the dog. Shoot - she actually plays with the dog. She will dust and scrub the toilet and sort clothes {OK - she needs a lot of help with those things.} But she's my girl who wants to grow up "to be a mommy."

{notice her shoes}

I love her. We all do. For a million reasons more than these four. She really is something else. She's perky and spirited and smart and helpful, beautiful and inquisitive and hard-working, sweet and funny, a wonderful little sister and true cicada saver. She's Sasha. And she's four.

Love you Baby.
~Mom

Summer Schedule

2011-06-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing here. The kids were released last Friday at noon. We headed to Oberweis for a little post-school year soiree, then Pooks and I headed off to the cardiologist. After a busy weekend full of carnivals, baby birthdays, baptisms, and cleaning, we hit the week head on with our Summer Schedule.

Smart Start Mondays
Originally, this was going to be the morning we do math worksheets. We've successfully done this in the past, but after working in Pookie's class this spring, I've decided one day of math is not enough. And TV/video games are too easy to fall back on when boredom strikes. So now every kid does one page of math for every 15 minutes of electronics they wish to enjoy. Going back to Smart Starts, then - these mornings I plan to do science experiments. I know that sounds crazy ambitious. But the kids have this Green Science Weather Station and this Green Science Enviro Battery that look like they'd be fun to try. We can also make our own barometer, etc. etc. etc. I also have every intention of having the kids do their Science Fair 2012 activities this summer. I know the school year gets busy, so we're doing it now when we have more 'time.'

Traveling Tuesdays
Yup. They're back. We enjoyed so many fabulous memories last summer, and there are so many amazing places to discover in St. Louis. I'll be sure to blog about them so you can visit, too! One that is certainly on our list is a trip to Jefferson City to visit the our state's capitol building. Beyond that, I'm really not sure. A trip to the book store might be in order to get some ideas - like we did over Spring Break!

Wet Wednesdays
We're swimming on these days! The pool guy is coming today to install our new pool, so I'm pretty excited to get the yard back into shape for summer. I'm considering letting the kids hit some water parks around town on Wednesdays just to spice things up a little, too. We can swim every day, really, so making sure we get wet on Wednesdays may not always mean the backyard this year. We'll see. I'm not a huge public pool person. {*climbing outside my comfort zone in the name of fun*}

Immaculate Thursdays
I look around our house some days and just want to bury my head in the sand. So instead, we're devoting Thursdays to cleaning up those 'problem spots' around the house. Yesterday we cleaned up the girls' room which has been turned into a game room for the summer (the kids are bunking in the basement again this year - and loving it!!!).

Friends on Friday
You guessed it! Playdates. Lots of 'em. (Although, I guess when you're almost 10, they shouldn't be called playdates any more.)

So there ya go - our summer schedule. Add in betwixt and between the myriad of camps we have and it's sure to be a busy and fun summer!

Compassionate Blogging

2011-06-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

You may know that I planned, scrimped, and saved to go on a mission trip to Peru this summer July 30-August 6. I even {attempted} to forego Christmas presents. You may know that this trip was canceled while our church reconnects with the mission field in that area to better determine their specific needs. There is a new long term missionary there that is making plans for future trips, but for now, my trip is on hold.

At the time that I heard this news, my favorite bloggy friend I've never met in real life, Emily, shared that she would be traveling to the Phillipines this summer on a mission trip through Compassion International. And blogging about it. I was more than a little green and more than a little sad that I wasn't going with her. Even more so now.

Although I am not in the Phillipines with Emily this week, I am pouring over her testimony of what she sees there and what Compassion is doing there at her blog. And there are others there with her who are quickly becoming some of my favorite people I've never met. Kat has an ear for amazing music and uses it to accompany her devastatingly honest look into life in the Phillipines. And Tsh has a heart for discerning Truth (conviction) from lies (guilt). There are others there in the Phillipines with them, as well. You can read all their stories here.

I hope you do. I think you will be changed.

Lord, I have a question...

2011-06-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

Why?

Best Invention Ever...

2011-05-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

You may think it's the wheel. Or penicillin. Or texting.

You would be wrong. {especially that last one.}

No. The best invention ever - is this:

I attempted trysts with Resolve carpet cleaner and even a pricey rendezvous with the Stanley Steamer guy before my relationship with this handsome spot cleaning doctor of love began. Although these other encounters were not only consensual, but also moderately effective, they cannot compare to my Spotbot Pet. I shall never love another. His cleaning powers last. They are deep. Me and my margarita-drinking-sitting-on-the-couch-and-watching-this-puppy-do-all-the-work self will never be the same.

It is true love.

The end.

A Sports Spectacular Party

2011-05-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

Meiners birthday and subsequent birthday parties were a few weeks ago. As I think back over his birthday parties, I recall a trip to the bowling alley for preschool (why on earth we do [correction: did] friend parties in preschool is beyond me. Well, at least that three-turns-four year-old one. Turning five is a whole 'nother ball game IMO, but four? Four should be relegated to family only. And that's exactly what we're doing for Sash. Poor girl. She's getting jipped. But c'est la vie. Momma got wise, Girl.)

Anywho. I did have a point.

Bowling when he turned 4.

When Meiners turned 5, we did a party at home and waited until June to utilize the backyard slip-n-slide and kiddy pools. It rained and was freezing cold.

For 6, I took him and a handful of buddies to Chuck E. Cheese at 11:00 on a weekday and then drove them all on to kindergarten. That was possibly my brightest moment ever. I had one of those 'buy a kazillion tokens and a pizza for $4' coupons. Cheap. No mess at home. No weather stressing out my I mean their fun. WHoooowee. Smart I was.

When 7 came along, I kept telling myself, "I really oughta do something big for Meiner's birthday. He always gets the short end of the birthday stick." (Ha - sorry again Sashi.) Then, of course, I realized he's had a party every year since he was four. I'm thinking he's been doing just fine.

So instead of making it a big shindig, I just asked him what he wanted to do. (!!!!) And God love the kid, he simply said, "A sleepover."

A sleepover? Nothing gets easier than that. You order some pizza and throw the kids outside til dark, buy donuts in the morning and call it a party, baby. Right?

But I had to go and ask, "Meiners, do you want to just play and do your own thing at the party, or do you want something like well I dunno activities?"

"Activities!!!"

Oh poop.

OK. Activities. What to do? What to do? I twiddled my thumbs and racked my brain.

In the end, I'm pretty pleased with how the party flowed. I'm not thrilled with how crazy wild loud a gaggle of active 6 and 7 year-olds can be, but in terms of activities - we chose simple, fun, kid-approved stuff to do. In the scheme of things, it probably was best to have a series of structured activities planned. I'm just pleased as punch that everyone seemed to have fun and the whole party was still pretty simple to put together (I tend to like to overcomplicate things most times).

For Meiners' 7th birthday, we gathered immediately for the obligatory group shot (learned from photography books that it's best to get these sorts of things out of the way. Totally great advice!)

We headed inside for pizza once everyone arrived (before that, they climbed trees and ran around outside).

Then we headed back outside to play kickball. {In the street. *gasp!*}

The kids participated in a homerun derby.

Yes, Meiners' best gal pal won - pretty much all night. ;)

They enjoyed our first ever pinata.

Note to self: Ring Pops are not good things to put inside a pinata.

They helped make sugar cookies from a bag.

Meiners opened presents while the cookies baked.

I'm pretty sure that if she weren't a girl, Meiners would admit that E is his best friend. He's funny like that.

Then I threw them all downstairs to play the Wii while they ate cookies and popcorn and then we sent them to bed! Originally, I'd planned a movie (Sandlot) but I decided two more hours was more than I could handle. ;) {At 12:30 in the morning, we still had two boys up, sneaking through the house.}

The next morning, I made Star Wars pancakes with strawberries and homemade whipped cream and a side of sausage. Pooks and I took off before the moms came for pickup, but before they left, each kid took home a water-proof volleyball for the pool. (One big take-away prize instead of a goody bag full of junk we all throw away in the end. Although they did have a few things from the pinata to take home - a bouncy ball, a sports eraser, and a Cardinals pencil.)

Low cost, low stress, lots of fun.
Meiners' 7th birthday party = Huge Success

Chocolate and Banana Cupcakes

2011-05-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to give you this recipe - because I don't usually alter recipes (I'm not culinarily smart enough to try that), I don't feel eligible to share printed recipes on the blog. But wouldn't ya know that by eating a banana for lunch, thereby yielding only 3 when the recipe called for 4, I am brought to an altered version of Primrose Bakery's Banana cupake. And as I mentioned yesterday - the resulting cup of spectacularness was by far my favorite banana cake experience, so I do have to share. To not share would be a crime. (They were that good. In my humble opinion.)

Enjoy!

Banana Cupcakes
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1t. vanilla
1 3/4 c. plus 2T all purpose flour, sifted
2t. baking powder
3 mashed ripe bananas
1/4c. banana puree baby food
6oz. bittersweet chocolate pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with 12 liners.

Cream sugar and butter until pale. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating after each addition. Add the flour and baking powder, then beat again until well combined. Stir in the bananas, baby food puree, and chocolate pieces.

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Frost with chocolate buttercream once cupcakes are completely cooled.

Chocolate buttercream frosting
6oz. bittersweet chocolate
1c. unsalted butter at room temperature
1T 2% milk at room temperature
1t. vanilla
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Melt chocolate in microwave until smooth. In a large bowl, beat butter, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add melted chocolate. If it looks too thin when trying to frost, keep beating - the frosting will thicken and improve spreading consistency.

I do wonder if these would be as incredibly moist and tasty with all bananas instead of the puree. Obviously, four bananas would provide lovely flavor, but my curiosity is piqued over whether the baby food actually provided a degree of moistness - rather like the 'pudding in the mix.' I guess the only way to find out would be to try the recipe in its original form - four bananas, sans baby food. I'm on the mindset, however, that once you find something that works, why break it I mean fix it, right? We shall see.

In the meantime, next on my list of 'must try' is Primrose Bakery's Lemon cupcakes. My fingers are itching to bake. I said I'd take a week off. I certainly didn't promise anyone. Maybe I just need to find some new friends to help me eat them.

I'll keep you posted.
:)
kJ

another week :: in pictures

2011-05-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

Another week has flown by.

First off, Daddy's home! Everything is a wee bit happier when Daddy's home (oh heck - it's a whole lotta better!). He's been traveling a good part of May, so everyone was thrilled to have him back! (Even Sashi gave him some sugar - and she's usually all mama's girl!)

Of course, cupcakes abounded. Pookie's book It's Raining Cupcakes contained a few recipes she wanted to try. I couldn't deny her the chance, so we set about creating "S'mores Cupcakes." The frosting was tricky - basically buttercream infused with marshmallow fluff - sticky and amoeba-like. But the cake was delicious and moist. We'll have to make the cake again! :P

My sister-in-law gave me Cupcakes from the Primrose Bakery for my birthday last week. And since I had bananas growing ripe on the counter, Sash and I ate one for lunch and then I tried a banana cupcake recipe from my new cookbook after everyone hit the hay! I soon discovered we should not have eaten bananas at lunch. I needed 3 and only had 2 remaining. Should I tell you I substituted half a jar of baby food for one missing banana in the recipe? (I searched the internet for banana substitutions. I didn't have applesauce. Or another banana. So I ran to Walgreens and grabbed a jar of organic baby food! {nothing but the best for MY cupcakes!}) Can I tell you it was by far my favorite banana cupcake EVER?! Oh my gosh it was so good! Primrose's chocolate buttercream was tasty too!

Yummy!

Those are real Callebaut chocolate shavings on top, too. (I'm becoming such a cooking snob.)

I also finally tried Southern Living's Mocha Latte Cupcakes (it's a sickness, really).

I loved that the mini cupcakes fit perfectly into my old origami boxes from my stamping days. How cute is that? But I am truly taking a week off from baking cupcakes. I think my friends have had enough of my cupcakes. And I really can't eat them all myself. I can't run far enough.

We ended the week at an underground railroad re-enactment...

...and camping!

the world's tiniest frog

It's the last week of school. I just can't believe it. You'll find me soaking up quiet time and making summer goals this week. Hopefully I'll see ya soon!
~k

and then he was seven

2011-05-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

Meinie turned 7 on Sunday. The story I keep sharing with everyone is that the boy asked for sugar cookies from a box mix for his birthday. I mean, seriously ~ who does that when their mom lives to bake cupcakes? Well, that would be my second son.

He is nothing like my first son. Kevin Leman has him pegged. And much of that 'second born,' 'middle child' stuff is entirely what makes Meiners one of my all-time favorite people in the world.

He is care-free. Yet he is incredibly caring. And nurturing. And loving. Not just fun-loving.

He is spirited and daring, athletic and competitive, but he'll lose on purpose if it means someone he loves wins.

He is smart and funny and charismatic. His laugh is contagious and he's a little bit wild. But still fashionable.

He is a good friend. A good brother. A good son.

He is my number one snuggler, hugger, kisser. Yet he is all boy.

He likes his hair long. Sometimes he lets his dad get it cut.

He owns a skate board, a bike, a basketball, a soccer ball, a volleyball, baseballs, golf balls, nerf guns, and he stays by my side while the big kids ride roller coasters.

He eats five waffles in one sitting. He prefers pancakes. Sausage PLUS bacon, please. Can we have pizza? Bacon pizza, preferably. And McD's cheeseburgers with bacon have been trumped by BK's double stacker. (He's a lot like his dad like that.) He gags on cauliflower. But he'll eat it. When I tell him to.

He came to Pookie's 5K Sunday morning to cheer her on. But absolutely refused to hold the sign proclaiming, "Girls Rock." His ears turned red and he hid behind his dad when I asked him to let me take his picture with his teacher after the run.

He is the cat's meow. And I get all teary just sitting here thinking of him not being 6 anymore. Finishing first grade. Getting taller and just as lanky. Looking over tow-headed toddler pictures and wondering what a year will bring.

Knowing I am absolutely, by far, without a shadow of a doubt, the luckiest mom in the world. Because Meiners in my son.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy.
Mommy loves you.

Always.

Enjoying the Ride...I think.

2011-05-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

Pookie took a shot at The Botanical Garden

By tomorrow at 10:00, May will be finished.

Shocking, I know.

Considering it's the 14th.

Next year, I'm boycotting May.

Again. Shocking.

But May is crazy. Seriously. Like hold-onto-your-seats-and-enjoy-the-ride crazy!

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved piece, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‑‑WOW ‑‑ WHAT A RIDE!”

Here's what we've been up to since I last wrote...

Third grade field trip. I wasn't sure I would make it. Then my sweet, sweet friend swooped in and watched Sashi for me and I hung out with one of my (other) favorite girls for the morning.

And then that same friend baked me a birthday cake. Cuz she's awesome like that. (And it was my birthday!) The cake was amazing!!!

my birthday lunch. Y.U.M.!

Spirit week at school. One day it was, "Mom! Can you give me 'crazy hair?'" The next it was, "Can you make me look like a carnival clown?"

Big, very large, gigantickly huge trucks came to tear up my grass and leave this as my backyard. And now it's raining. And raining. And raining. Fun.

Final strings performance of the year for Pooks and Mr. T.

Someone decided she wanted to audition for the big time and needed sheet music and a head shot. Her audition was this morning and she'll know by late Friday. We left the building with a smile on her face, so it was a win, no matter what.

And someone else has a birthday. He invited his favorite friends and the decibel level skyrocketed in our house for about 12 hours. Good grief 5 six and seven year-olds can be rowdy. But, evidently he enjoyed himself:

Today, in addition to the final hours of the sleepover plus a musical theatre audition, we also enjoyed the school parade and picnic...

This may be my favorite photo ever.

...and Meiners' family party.

Yes. That IS a bag on Pookie's head.
No. I do not know why.

Tomorrow, a 5K run, and then I crash. And my May is over. The rest is coasting in to summer.

Aaaaaah, summer.

Wait.

Did I mention Daddy was in Dallas all week?

Seriously?

Crazy.

She's a Good Man

2011-05-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

Pookie was in a musical production this past weekend put on by a local theatre company. After a week of rehearsals until almost 10:00 every night and a one hour drive home plus the two performances and a cast party [*breathe*]...we were very glad to see Sunday.

I really wanted to make the whole experience memorable for Pookie. Last year, her musical theatre class put on a Veggie Tales play. It was cute. This year was the big time, though. Her small class incorporated with the teens in the advanced classes. So, we gave her the royal treatment.

I asked her to pick a few girls to come to the show and spend the night - knowing it would be late. She chose, we invited, they ate at Macaroni Grill (Pookie's favorite restaurant), then they saw You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Instead of coming home and crashing ~~as I'd expected no hoped~~, they partied late into the night.

*Note to Self: Next time, friends come to the final show. {Lesson learned.}

The girls sought autographs (including Pookie's!).

They asked for photos with the cast {"Charlie Brown was sooooooooooo cute. O.M.G.!"}

We sent them all home with fun souvenirs. (The chalk board picture frames were my favorite. No the Charlie Brown cake pops. No. They were all my favorite!)

I think they had a marvelous time! {I know I enjoyed watching all of them!}

...A BIG thank you to everyone who came and supported our Star of the Show!

Mr. T - who came to the show instead of accepting their ribbon from the St. Louis County Science Fair
(They won 3rd and Meiners won 2nd at the county)

Grandma and Grandpa!

Grammie and The Littles!

And CJ!

We'll be seeing you at the show!