Some people would think nothing has been on my mind, since I haven't blogged for weeks. That is far from the truth. Work has been very busy and particularly stressful due to several tricky projects. That has occupied too much of my time recently, and it's time to shift my focus back to the family. Mostly what's on my mind are my kids. I am very proud as I watch them grow up.
At a recent parent teacher conference Madison's teacher told Kerry that Madison has on several occasions helped a special needs kid who joins their class - without prompting from the teacher. Madison is sensitive and caring, almost to a fault. Her favorite show in Jon & Kate Plus 8. She senses when Kerry or I need some help and is starting to step in and assist.
Collin continues his quest towards World Cup Soccer. Last week, during the first quarter, he scored 3 goals in a row. He added another goal soon after. Every play ends up with Collin doing a cartwheel and landing on the ground, whether it is a score, or the ball simply going out of bounds. Today Collin was very brave and was the first of the three to get their flu shot. No tears and no complaining.
Caden is just too much boy for his age. He thinks he can, and should do anything Collin does. He is a terror on a scooter, and enjoys riding his bike off the curb. He's learned to squeeze hard when he gives you a hug (sometimes you have to prompt him for the squeeze). And there is nothing cuter than than to see him clasp his hands and shut his eyes, as hard as he can, before he says "God thanks Mommy, Daddy, Madison, Collin."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
soccer in the burbs
Kerry is officially a soccer mom. Collin is playing soccer and loves it. His team is the Buckin Broncos. We have had two games now and the team is 1-1, not that we are keeping score. Yes it's just pack-ball at this age, but they manage to stay headed the right direction most of the game. Collin scored a couple of goals in the first game, but nothing in this last game. He doesn't usually stay in the middle of the action, but prefers to stay on the perimeter and work on his positioning and strategy. He does good keeping himself between the ball and the goal. He will make a good defender just like his daddy.
The park where the games are played is just down the street. On Saturday mornings it is a mad house. It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to park, and even longer to get out. I bet we spent 15-20 minutes just getting out of the parking lot today.
The park where the games are played is just down the street. On Saturday mornings it is a mad house. It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to park, and even longer to get out. I bet we spent 15-20 minutes just getting out of the parking lot today.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Diner
I am a big fan of the diner. You can order breakfast anytime of the day. And the menu is large - you can get just about anything you want.
We eat at a local diner near work about once a month. We've come to expect being called 'honey' and 'sweetie', but it's those rare moments where the waitress sits next to you and rubs your leg that make these trips memorable.
When we worked on the Philadelphia Eagles stadium we ate at the same diner every day for a week. The bread pudding was awesome. This was a northeast diner, cleaner and nicer than you typically find down south. I like to think that the neighborhood mob boss sits in the corner and runs his business.
Every time we come to Virginia for the project I am working on we stay at the same hotel and eat at the same Diner. Today I was by myself, and tempted to venture out to find a Starbucks or IHOP, but I decided not to break with tradition.
The first thing that strikes me as odd is that this Diner, which is connected to a Holiday Inn, doesn't open until 7:30. Are you kidding me? I walked in at 7:40 and the lights were still off and the waitresses were still setting up tables.
Conversation at the Diner is always interesting. A few tidbits of what I heard today between the staff...
"I really like the way you run your tables. When you greet people and say can I start you off with Coffee, Tea or Water? That sounds so professional."
"My belly hurts. I feel like it's on fire. I need to run to the store and get some Malox". I listened to that through most of my breakfast.
"You live in the apartments across the street? Did yours catch on fire? Did you lose everything?"
As the morning progressed, and I slowly lossed my appetite, I limited myself to Coffee thinking that at least the intense heat of the brewing process offered some hope for sterilization.
We eat at a local diner near work about once a month. We've come to expect being called 'honey' and 'sweetie', but it's those rare moments where the waitress sits next to you and rubs your leg that make these trips memorable.
When we worked on the Philadelphia Eagles stadium we ate at the same diner every day for a week. The bread pudding was awesome. This was a northeast diner, cleaner and nicer than you typically find down south. I like to think that the neighborhood mob boss sits in the corner and runs his business.
Every time we come to Virginia for the project I am working on we stay at the same hotel and eat at the same Diner. Today I was by myself, and tempted to venture out to find a Starbucks or IHOP, but I decided not to break with tradition.
The first thing that strikes me as odd is that this Diner, which is connected to a Holiday Inn, doesn't open until 7:30. Are you kidding me? I walked in at 7:40 and the lights were still off and the waitresses were still setting up tables.
Conversation at the Diner is always interesting. A few tidbits of what I heard today between the staff...
"I really like the way you run your tables. When you greet people and say can I start you off with Coffee, Tea or Water? That sounds so professional."
"My belly hurts. I feel like it's on fire. I need to run to the store and get some Malox". I listened to that through most of my breakfast.
"You live in the apartments across the street? Did yours catch on fire? Did you lose everything?"
As the morning progressed, and I slowly lossed my appetite, I limited myself to Coffee thinking that at least the intense heat of the brewing process offered some hope for sterilization.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
More Back to School
Collin and Caden started back to school today. This is the first day for Caden to go to preschool and it is a brand new school for Collin. They both did very well. Collin knows two kids in his class. A little girl that lives in our neighborhood and a little boy that is in his Sunday School class. I am so glad he has a friend in his class, it has made the adjustment to this new school much easier. He had a great time and he was even awarded the M&M award during music. I guess the music teacher gives out a little bag of m&m's to the child that is doing good. I think maybe the m&m stands for music and movement, but I really have no idea. I just know Collin was very excited to eat his m&m's after school. :)
Caden walked right into his room and sat at the table and started working a puzzle. When it was time for me to go, I said "bye Caden" and he said "bye Mom" and that was that. When I picked him up he was being held by the assistant teacher because he was not very happy when he woke up from his nap. Other than a little tears at the playground and at nap time, he had a very good first day. Hopefully, Thursday will go well too.
This post was written by Mom. :)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Back to School
It's that that time again. Next week is back to school for Madison. I can't believe she is entering 1st grade already. Other than cutting into her morning sleep (she likes to snooze til 9:00) she is looking forward to going back to school. She's a pro now, not nervous a bit. Last night we met her teacher and found out who was in her class. Her teacher seems very nice.
Collin and Caden start Sept 9th. Caden seems really young to be headed off to pre-k twice a week, but that is how old the other kids were. I would love to spy on him while he was at schood, to see him marching to the lunch room lined up with the other kids.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Carnie Kids
As good parents we are preparing our kids early for their future careers. After much meditation and praying, Kerry and I have decided that our kids should strive to work at a carnival.
Here is Madison at her first day of training, laying on a bed of nails.
She is also training for tightrope walking, acrobatics, and those high swing thingies.
Collin is working on his clown routine, which includes juggling, balancing, and pulling coins from his ears and nose.
We are waffling on Caden since he hasn't shown much promise in the few disciplines we have tried (lion tamer, boy shot out of cannon). He is showing a lot of promise bowling on the wii. He doesn't typically break 100, but he is getting occasional strikes and spares. So we may consider a career in the Pro Bowling Association. So starting next week he is going on a diet of beer and cheese fries.
Here is Madison at her first day of training, laying on a bed of nails.
She is also training for tightrope walking, acrobatics, and those high swing thingies.
Collin is working on his clown routine, which includes juggling, balancing, and pulling coins from his ears and nose.
We are waffling on Caden since he hasn't shown much promise in the few disciplines we have tried (lion tamer, boy shot out of cannon). He is showing a lot of promise bowling on the wii. He doesn't typically break 100, but he is getting occasional strikes and spares. So we may consider a career in the Pro Bowling Association. So starting next week he is going on a diet of beer and cheese fries.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
sunday bike ride
In keeping with my goal of riding more this year, and since we had been on vacation for two weekends, I decided to ride today. Yes I went in the middle of the afternoon. Yes it was about 106 deg outside. And I paid for it.
It started with my eyes. For those of you who ride off road you know how your eyes can start to lose focus due to the constant jarring and you have to concentrate on keeping focus? Well that started earlier than normal and happened a number of times today. And the constant rush of warm air was burning my eyes (I didn't wear sunglasses because I don't like the contrast between the wide open bright spaces and the shadows in the trees unless I have yellow or clear lenses, which I don't. Sunglasses also make your face hot).
Then my arms started to get tired from the constant jarring. And it was so hot I didn't feel like I was sweating because it evaporated off immediately. I did drink a lot, approximately half of a 100oz camel back.
The roots were giving me a lot of problems today. The trail has a lot of roots, and you have to hit them perpendicular or they have a tendency to twist your wheel. I found myself on several occasions in a very awkward position, with one foot clipped in, one foot still clipped to the pedal, and hopping down the trail trying not fall over. But I managed to stay upright the whole time, which was better than my last ride when I went tumbling backwards down a hill when I couldn't get unclipped fast enough.
My legs felt pretty good the whole time, but the heat forced me to cut the ride short and take the road back to the car for fear of completely bonking.
A 32 oz Gatorade and candy bar brought me back to life.
It started with my eyes. For those of you who ride off road you know how your eyes can start to lose focus due to the constant jarring and you have to concentrate on keeping focus? Well that started earlier than normal and happened a number of times today. And the constant rush of warm air was burning my eyes (I didn't wear sunglasses because I don't like the contrast between the wide open bright spaces and the shadows in the trees unless I have yellow or clear lenses, which I don't. Sunglasses also make your face hot).
Then my arms started to get tired from the constant jarring. And it was so hot I didn't feel like I was sweating because it evaporated off immediately. I did drink a lot, approximately half of a 100oz camel back.
The roots were giving me a lot of problems today. The trail has a lot of roots, and you have to hit them perpendicular or they have a tendency to twist your wheel. I found myself on several occasions in a very awkward position, with one foot clipped in, one foot still clipped to the pedal, and hopping down the trail trying not fall over. But I managed to stay upright the whole time, which was better than my last ride when I went tumbling backwards down a hill when I couldn't get unclipped fast enough.
My legs felt pretty good the whole time, but the heat forced me to cut the ride short and take the road back to the car for fear of completely bonking.
A 32 oz Gatorade and candy bar brought me back to life.
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