Happy Delicious Birthday!

Happy yummy birthday to me!  And free delicious food is even more yummy!

Anthony, Will and I went to Waffle House for my birthday breakfast where I got a free chocolate chip waffle!

After playing with the boys for a bit, I took a nap since I had worked 3rd shift and would be working it again Sunday night.  When I got up I went and got my free birthday sub at Firehouse Subs for Marko's supper-- and a 2nd free sub for joining the email club for him to take for lunch Monday.

Jayna and I had supper together at Koto's.  I took advantage of my free birthday meal!  We ate with two newly graduated college ladies and a family of three.  The daughter of their family is at the LU Law school and her parents flew in from Florida to visit her for the weekend.  We had a good meal and nice convo too.  And apparently Jayna was extra charming, as the family from Florida requested the waitress to put her meal on their ticket.  We were very appreciative! 

Monday Jayna, Anthony and I went out for breakfast at IHOP where Anthony ate my free birthday pancakes.  He chose strawberry cheesecake.  Jayna got free pancakes for me signing up for the email club.  She of course chose her beloved chocolate chip.  I had strawberry ones--- but paid for mine.  Then we went and volunteered at the school workday where we had Little Caesar's for lunch.

Tuesday I did pay for lunch, but easily ate $5 worth of Minestrone soup, salad and Breadsticks at the Olive Garden with my good friend Tanya.  We each had $2 off our meal!

Wednesday Mom and I went for our free Heavenly Ham Sandwiches.  I used my free bday coupon and gave mom my coupon for signing up for the email club.

I gave Marko my final 2 coupons which he enjoyed Friday out with friends at Buffalo Wild Wings-- getting two free orders of wings.  He chose Asian Zinger wings.

But my best meal of all didn't require a coupon or ID, Just a trip to Nana's house!

Birthdays sure are tasty!!

Welcome Home Uncle Ray

We've waited a very long 6 years, 9 months to see you again.  BEHAVE this time around so your niece and nephew can truly get to know you.  Jayna is super excited to have Uncle Ray in town, face timing and calling Uncle Ray are her evening highlights.  She was barely three the last time she say him, and outside of photos she nor Ant have any memory of him and can't tell Uncle Derek and Uncle Ray apart in photos.

The next to last time the kids saw Uncle Ray before he got into trouble:

Christmas 2007

Spring 2008

Uncle Ray's girlfriend picked Uncle Ray up and brought him to Grandma Pam's.  The kids wasted no time getting to Grandma Pam's on Monday (10/20)

bummer, it turned out blurry!  They were both so happy!

And then on Friday, Uncle Ray and Kiki even came to Jayna's cross country match.  She was quite pleased to have them there.... even if the other team never showed up, at least Uncle Ray did!

Then Uncle Ray and Kiki really earned some brownie points in Jayna's book, when they gave her money to attend the Scaremare Haunted houses!  Thanks Uncle Ray and Kiki and we hope to see so very very very much more of you both!

Simple Pleasures of Early Fall

Life is good, simple as that.  I am trying to savor every moment, every memory even among life's sometime hectic schedule.
I want to remember....
Introducing my sweet Godson to the Rooster and Chickens, my nieces showing off their flexibility, the fun, sweet and funny temperaments of Tristan and how we are all so lucky to have one another

Going to a friend's football game and supporting him-- and entertaining ourselves some too

Our favorite football player, Alonza!!

Enjoying the stray Kittens at Grandma Pam's

They may be strays but they are still cute and quite entertaining to the kids

Anthony's buddy Will's 10th party at the park!  I made Will a cake so it meant it was a party ;-) All birthdays need to be celebrated! We had his a day early to match his mom's day off work.  It worked perfectly so he could wear his new outfit to school on his birthday! Happy 10th Will!

We've had some much needed playdates and baby sitting of Jayna's buddy RyLee and her two little sisters.

We were fortunate and able to enjoy a much needed playdate with Aunt Brandy, and cousins Tristan, Shania and Angela

Our sweet and humorous Jayna who has become a selfie queen herself.  She keeps us laughing and on our toes!  Daddy was laying on the couch and she covered him with a yoga mat--- and he fell asleep.  While he was sleeping she inspected his wallet haha.

We have had two work days at the kids school doing landscaping.  I am by far the world's laziest gardener, grounds keeper.  However, it was exciting to see this project from start on day 1 to finish on day 2-- totally different looks to our school, and the kids learned hard labor, team work, and were able to have fun with friends. 

DON'T YA LOVE THE MUDDY SHOES AT THE DOOR?

A really old guy had a really old birthday (59) and we got to spend many hours together for Bridge Day weekend--- but more of that in another post.  His favorite lil girl was pouty b/c I said she couldn't open Poppy's gift.... which is to be added to his practical joke collection! 

Even going to pay my insurance was enjoyable because I got to read my insurance agent's new bumper stickers :-)

 We had another visit to Aunt Brandy's house this past Wednesday.  Oh that sweet boy- there are no words <3 <3 The girls and Devin made leaf piles which gave them plenty of fun.  I am so glad for these cousin-friend bonds and the opportunity to be within this family!

This is just a sneak peak of some simple yet memorable, happy, fall pleasures in our last month!

Cross Country Fun

The kids are in cross country again this year.  A lot has changed this year from last for the kidlets running abilities.  Last year Jayna INTENTIONALLY "forgot" running shoes or clothes practically every other day.  She ended up with a sprained ankle... and juiced it for as much as she could.  Anthony ran practice every day, but his times weren't good enough to run in the meets other than the last one where everyone was allowed to run.

This year, neither kid has missed a practice, Jayna only forgot her shoes once (And I brought her them) and their times have greatly improved.  No I don't have that magic mom knows all power to tell you their times, but Anthony qualified in the first meet with a time of 23 minutes-- has to be 26 or under to compete.  His best qualifying time has been 19 minutes.  I wish on race days they'd announce times but they don't so I no clue.  I do know Jayna's original qualifying time was 34 minutes.... and by qualifying for meet three she was just at 26 so could run.

Meet 1: Presbeterian Home Invitational

Jayna had selfie fun while waiting for Anthony and her classmates to pass by.  Most the schools who ran were middle schoolers (grades 6,7,8).  This was a much more hilly course than he was used to so he was plenty tired, but also plenty happy!  Luckily the weather was great and comfortable so it was a perfect running day.

Meet 2: At Home vs James River Day School

This race day was pretty hot, but it was nice to have a home race, on a course Anthony knew well minus the crazy hills of the previous week.

Meet 3: At Home vs Nelson County Middle School

This was my favorite race so far.  Clearly my love of playing in the rain with my kids paid off.  They did awesome!  At qualifying for this race Anthony ran it in 19 minutes, Jayna in 26- almost 27 minutes.  I wasn't here for the start of this race but drove as quick as I safely could from work.  It was nice and rainy.  Jayna was a speeding bullet!  She out-ran almost everyone from the half way point and remained in her position at the finish line.  She was the second girl to finish and 4th over all.  Because it was raining, girls and boys ran together.  Anthony and all the other DTD students stayed right together in a pack.  It was a great run with a natural refresher: rain.  The bottom left corner picture of Ant smiling, he was cheering on Jayna who was nicely ahead and he saw her.

Sadly I missed meet 4- It was in Nelson County and as usual I had crossing guard, so Daddy was elected to attend since it was near his work so we didn't waste gas.  The kids were rewarded the next day with Sheetz slushies for a race well run!

Adventurer Club Fish Award

It's Adventurer Club time again!!  We love Adventure Club, and I mean we- all the kids I bring and myself.  Anthony has been promoted (due to age) from Adventurer to Pathfinder.  That means you won't get many updates on his group, as I still stay in Adventurers.  Last year Will and Diamond came with me all year and then in January Tabi started coming with me too.  This year we still have them coming, plus Alexus and Mateo are now old enough to join, so they have.

The first award we worked on has been the Fish Award.  We listened to the story of Jonah and the Whale, decorated fish for the church bulletin board, got gold fish and "water" (blue koolaide) for snack.

But the biggest excitement of course was our special visitor from Petsmart!  She works in the fish department and taught us all about Beta fish.  We also got 3 beta fish-- each with their own set ups and the kids got to set up their tanks.  Then one cluber gets to take home a fish each time we have club.

Seeing our fishy friends for the first time

Setting Up the tanks

The first set of fish care-takers were chosen out of the boat

Somehow Jayna got picked as one of the 3 to take a fish home the first week. I was impressed the fish was still alive at the end of our two weeks.  The fish was named Blue by the clubbers.  Jayna wasted no time and immediately renamed him Gabe.  Poor fish was already facing an identity crisis.  He add well on week 1.  By week 2 she was bored of him.  Not to mention she had a distraction called Uncle Zach was in town.

Week 2 at club we went over the 2nd of three fish bible stories; Fisher's of Men.  They watched a short movie on it.  One of our newest club members gave us their report on salt and fresh water fish.  Then we practiced for the Induction ceremony scheduled for the next evening.  Most importantly the fish were reassigned to 3 new kids.  Tabi got to take Freddie home!

 On Friday we had our induction ceremony.  The older kids (gr 3 and 4) each had a short speaking park.  All the Adventurers were given a candle and added their name to the alter.  The Pathfinders (grades 5 and up) had a longer ceremony of candle lightings and definitions of what it means and requires to be a Pathfinder. 

Add caption

Jayna's speaking part

Anthony becoming a Pathfinder

The final part of the fish award was to have our 3rd fish bible story, 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.  Mrs. Melanie had a skit prepared for the children.  They acted out their parts while she told the story.  WOW!  She engaged the kids.  They loved it.  It will be a bible story they remember, it captured their attention, it was hands on and it taught them that God will always provide!  Jayna gave her mini oral report on her fact on one saltwater and one freshwater fish.

Here is the video from their skit, it's a bit long but cute.

The Christmas Shopping Begins

October is a super late start for me.  However, it is time to begin that beloved process. This year we are scaling back majorly.  The kids getting to attend a private school should be considered a big enough gift ;-)

I find it enjoyable looking back on previous years lists and seeing how much the kiddos have changed in their "wants", so that's 1/2 the purpose of this blog :-)

We will buy for each of our parents, one sibling (we draw names), teachers at school.
I had to eliminate all the kids friends as it isn't in the budget, instead we will plan a playdate and share memories instead of gifts.

In the car rides home from school this week we discussed coming up w/ a realistic list of wants and needs as opposed to Jayna's typical 30 mile long list of everything in the universe... honestly Ant doesn't usually ask for much so I needed to just gear him into considering his needs- things he needs for school activities- like skiing and camping.  And so they each came up with 10 items that they'd like between Christmas and their birthdays.

Family members who buy for the kids, perhaps you could lean towards something on this list instead of a toy or clothes as they have more than an adequate number of those!  (used is always fine and appreciated)

Anthony:

(the links are just examples)
1. tablet (Daddy will likely find a deal on craigslist)
2.  winter coat for skiing (G'ma Joy bought it)
3. twin size air mattress w/ pump
4. mp3 player
5. sleeping bag for cold tempertures
6. ski helmet
7. rollerskates (not blades)- size 12 men
8. new shoes- size 12 men
9.  good flashlight for camping
10. thick gloves (waterproof) for  skiing

Jayna:

1. computer (Daddy is building it)
2. baby doll (G'ma Joy bought it)
3. twin size air mattress w/ pump
4. mp3 player w/ headphones that cover your ears
5. sleeping bag for cold tempertures
6. ski helmet
7. good flashlight for camping
8. thick gloves for skiing
9. art supplies
10. snow boots- size 7 or 8 women