Summertime...and the Livin' is BUSY

I cannot believe it's been over a month since my last post.  Whoa...how did that happen?

Then again, this past week was our first real break since school got out. 

We had swim team practice every morning except Mondays, and of course the meets on Saturdays.  Both the girls kept improving their times.  Rebecca now has a qualifiying time for all 4 strokes, freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, and butterfly.  Not bad for an 8-year-old. :-).  She missed All-Stars by 2 seconds on her backstroke, which sorely disappointed her.  But I can't lie...I was a bit relieved.  Divisionals (which was outdoors for us) was so long and hot...whew!  I can't imagine All-Stars and the long day that would have been. 

Some random pics of the kids swimming. 

After swim team was over, we had Vacation Bible School at St. Ignatius. And no, I didn't get a single picture.  I was busy in the kitchen, helping with snacks, and honestly didn't stand still the whole week.  It made me a bit sad, realizing this was the last year Joshua would be able to participate.  Sigh...

In between all this, I took the kids blackberry picking, bought farm-fresh peaches, and made lots of homemade jam.  Of course, we had to make trifle and cobbler with all our bounty of fresh fruit.  And we sure have been enjoying it too.  YUM!

Gabriel when to his first birthday party at a fire station.  It was really fun...and he loved it, especially the eatin' part.  That child would not stop eating the bananas and grapes off the food table!  I had to stop him at one cupcake too...darn kid!

My brother popped into town for a quick visit.  He had to meet us at IKEA because we were trying to pick out cabinets for the study nook.  (We still haven't ordered any yet!).  The kids were thrilled to see their Uncle before he heads out to Fr. Rucker for more flight training. 

Speaking of the study nook, David has been hard at work.  I helped him glue down the wood floor last week.  It took all day, but I think it looks pretty good! 

David will use the leftover planks and some matching trim to build the step down into the room.  There's still the electrical and floor trim trim to install, the cabinets (if we ever get around to ordering some!), building the work stations (a large, build-in desk along one wall), putting in the bar sink, etc.  Sigh.  It takes major patience to deal with a big home improvement project! 

We had a great 4th of July.  I made a big dinner, we had friends over, and David shot off fireworks with the kids outside in the street until nearly 11 PM.  Nobody got up before 9:00 AM this morning.  I felt bad because I had David cut up a whole watermelon, put it in the fridge to chill, and forgot all about it until after dessert.  Oh well! 

I think that cover the last 5 weeks.  Hope everyone else is having a great, hot summer! 

Managing the Fun

Ever since the kids got their new Nintendo DSI's, it's been a constant battle with how much time they're allowed to play.  I wasn't keen on getting them in the first place.  David and I told Joshua and Rebecca if they wanted one so bad, they had to save up their own money and buy it themselves.  Secretly, I was hoping they'd give up and their desire would just disappear. 

Well, no such luck.  Josh and Rebecca actually save up their allowances for nearly a year.  They turned down book orders, trips to the dollar store, souvenirs at gift shops, and the bargain bins at Target.  I admit...I was impressed.  So about 6 weeks ago, the DS craze started, and it really hasn't quite tapered down yet. 

Of course, this mean ongoing fights over this darn electronic device.  Christina didn't get a DSI (at at 5 years old, we told her she was too little anyway), so she was always begging to play, and the kids wouldn't heard me if I called them for chores, dinner, etc.  It was driving me NUTS...and that's putting it mildy. I also knew the kids were always bugging me, or asking me to play because I had no rules in place.  David and I knew we had to figure out some system to keep track of playing time, but kept putting it off...end of the school year activities plus swim team left us too mentally drained for anything else.

Finally, last Sunday night, we sat down and came up with a game plan.  First, we came up with a "Nintendo DSI Contract."  It spells out a few simple rules, and the consequences for breaking them.  This includes being prompt and respectful towards Mom and Dad, no sneaking playing time, failure to do chores, etc. 

In addition to the DS Contract, I made up a chart on a dry-erase board.  There are 4 vertical columns--TV, Computer, DSI, and Reading.  The kids' names make up the 3 vertical columns. 

Every day, the kids start out with 1 hour for each category.  They are free to use their time as they like, but once it's up...that's it for the day.  We might make special exceptions if friends show up to play, but so far, it's working well.  I decided not to let the kids watch each other on the TV/Computer/DSI; if they did, it would count towards their time.  This has been a little tricky...obviously it's hard to stop them from watching/playing with a sibling.  But I know if we don't at least try, the kids will complain that they used up all their time watching/playing something they really didn't want to in the first place. 

David wanted the kids to be able to keep track of their time themselves, so he came up with the idea of having timers for each of them.  I bought 3 digital timers at Walmart (at $3 dollars each), and they are magnetized, so they are up on the fridge right below the dry-erase board. 

Whenever the kids want to play/watch something, they go set their timer.  They start with one hour, and if they only want to use 20 minutes, they set the timer for that amount.  I really like these timers...they beep when the time is down to 10 minutes, and again at 5 minutes.  So the kids get 2 warnings, and I don't have to say a thing...awesome!  When their time is up, they erase the "60" on their chart, write down how much time they have left, and zero their timer.  Joshua and Rebecca can do this completely on their own.  Christina needs a little bit of help, but she understand how it works...she has me do the subtraction for her ;-). 

David thought of one more "rule" last night.  The kids have to do their 1 hour of reading sometime during the day.  If they don't, whatever reading time they have left has to be done the following day BEFORE any TV/Computer/DSI time.  I plan to throw in some lessons at some point during the summer that will count towards their reading time. 

So now you wonder, how has this been working thus far? 

Let me tell you...the past 2 days have been SO much more peaceful in our house!  No more yelling at the kids to get off the TV, the DSI, or the computer.  No more bugging Mom, no more fighting over anything.  The kids are negotiating with each other, "Okay, I'll play for 25 minutes, and when I'm done, it'll be your turn."  And best of all, I don't have to play referee!  I'll give you an example. 

Christina got on the computer this afternoon, just before one of Joshua's friends called.  Joshua was none too happy to see his little sister on the computer...he'd made plans to play a game online with his friend earlier that day.  But he called his friend and said, "Sorry, call me back in an hour, my sister is on the computer right now."  No meltdown, no tears.  Before we put this time management system in place, Joshua would have had a HUGE fit. 

As a parent, it is hard to bite the bullet and take the time to plan...I know we should have come up with this system sooner, and procrastinating only made things worse.  At one point, I wanted to throw the DSI's in the trash, and David thought about unplugging the TV...no joke!  But our plan is working so well...I am not dreading this summer at all now.  The kids are managing their times all on their own...it is teaching them to be responsible, fair to their siblings, and I get to keep all my hair.  ;-)

Hope your kiddos aren't driving you crazy this summer!  If they are, send 'em to our house.  We can manage them until you get your game plan together.  But just so you know, I will send them home eventually...I'm liking the peace and quiet over here!

Rebecca's First Solo

Rebecca's second grade class (and the rest of the second grade) has been getting ready for a musical program for the past 3 months. We got the information send home back in February for the costumes. Rebecca was supposed to wear a tan sweatsuit, white t-shirt, and a sombrero with dog ears on top...her character was a chihuahua.

By the time the parent information sheets came home though, I wasn't able to find a tan sweatsuit anywhere. So I decided to make Rebecca tan pants using 2 towels (so it would look fluffy and dog-like), and use the leftover material to make a set of ears. I emailed the music teacher, Ms. F. first, and she said that would be fine.

The first performance of the dog show was last Tuesday afternoon, and I was able to go without Gabriel, thanks to my neighbor's girl who watched a napping Gabriel. The second performance was Wednesday night. I was glad to get plenty of pics and video of Rebecca's solo because it was controlled chaos that night.

We got to the cafeteria in plenty of time to get good seats, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, the AC wasn't working. Nonetheless, the performance started, with Ms. F graciously reminding the kids to "use your concert manners." I have to tell you a little bit about Ms. F. She is the epitamy of a lady. She must be at least 60 years old, but is always dressed elegantly, always calm, poised, and polite. And the kids love her.

Anyway, about halfway through the performance, you could tell the kids where getting hot and restless. The audience I must say was awful...I heard people talking constantly, not even bothering to whisper, parents called out to their kids on stage, etc. I was apppalled, but Ms. F kept her cool. Then a little girl on the risers fainted, and the decision was made to cancel the show. It was the right decision, but I sure felt for Ms. F. and the kids...I knew they worked really hard. The show has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, but since I already have video, we've decided not to go again.

Here's some of the pics I took of Rebecca and the video of her solo.  She is wearing the sombrero and wearing a white t-shirt.

We were really proud of our girl, she sang her part perfectly. I knew she was nervous, but I told her to just pretend she was singing in the shower, and that everyone in the audience was in their pajamas. ;-) Don't know if Broadway is in her future, but she said she had fun being a dog.

The Magic Stethescope

Watch this...your kids will like it too.

Grandpa and Grandma

I drove to San Antonio this past weekend to visit my grandparents.  This was a painful visit to make, and I made it alone.  I knew this road trip would be difficult, partially because I didn't know what to expect, and also because I knew Grandpa was now in a assisted care facility. 

The events leading up to this trip have been sketchy until now.  I was finally able to hear the entire story from my Dad over the weekend. 

The day after my Grandma's 90th birthday (March 22), Grandpa accidently drove into an intersection on a red light.  Grandpa is 89 years old...that says it all, doesn't it?  To make matters worst, their car was a '95 Toyota with no air bags.  Grandma had taken off her seat belt for a moment to take off her jacket when they were hit.  I didn't see her at her worst, but my Dad said her face looked horrible.  They were both taken via ambulance to the hospital, released the same day (no broken bones, thank God), and went home.

Once back at their apartment, both Grandpa and Grandma got sick because they couldn't really take care of themselves after the accident.  They were in pretty good shape beforehand...no long-term medical issues, they were mobile, etc.  My Dad found out about their state during one of his regular phone calls, and promptly went to San Antonio.  He spent the next 3 weeks nursing them back to health.  I can't get into the details because even I cannot comprehend them yet...all I can say is my Dad had to do nearly everything for them. 

Grandma got better, but Grandpa did not.  Something happened to him after the accident...he just stopped doing his normal routine, taking care of himself, eating, etc.  It took my Dad 5 days to convince him to go to the doctor, and by then, he decided he had to go straight to the hospital.  When the ambulance came, Grandpa refused to go.  After more convincing from the "really big, 6' 4" EMT," (my Dad's words), Grandpa finally went to the hospital.  He spend 4 days there and was diagnosed with pneumonia.  Thankfully, it was not a severe case, and Grandpa responded to the antibiotics. 

Once Grandpa was released, he was as weak as a baby, and they moved him to a room in the Health Care Center.  This is right next door to the high-rise condominiums at the retirement community they live in.  For the first few days, he would not eat, drink, or take his medications.  Grandpa is a very, very stubborn man, and I was truly afraid he wouldn't make it.  He even yelled and cussed at some of the nurses...which didn't surprise me, but it gave me hope.  Obviously he had some fighting spirit in him!  Currently, he is doing better and can sit up to eat, but has no energy at all, and cannot get out of bed yet.   Long-term, the doctor says is recovery is up to him.  If he eats and drinks enough and takes his meds, he should be fine.  Without it being said out loud, I think we all believe Grandpa will not be the same ever again though. 

So Grandpa has been down in Health Care for a couple of weeks now.  They moved Grandma down to his room because they wanted to be together.  All the nurses are very kind, and they're all pulling for them...June 15 is their 70th wedding anniversary, can you believe it?  One of the nurses took these pictures for me. 

I knew I wanted to go and see my grandparents before it was too late. I realize this is their "journey into the sunset of life." When I got to San Antonio Saturday morning, I went straight to their room. Grandma looked fine, and Grandpa recognized me right off the bat. He cannot remember anything from one minute to the next, but he knew who I was. I visited them on and off all the rest of the day and twice on Sunday before I went back home. I told them over and over again I loved them, and they said they loved me too. I will never, ever forget those precious words.  The last thing my Grandma said was, "I hope you took some things to remember me by."  It took everything I had not to cry.

Honestly, the most difficult part of this whole weekend was helping with the clean-out of my Grandparent's apartment.  I went through a lifetime of things, and seeing their belongings brought back so many memories.  I knew certain pieces of furniture, pictures, and little accessories had never been moved from their places in my lifetime.  And...Grandpa had become a hoarder.  My Dad had tackled the worst, but I still threw out periodicals and catalogs that were 10 years old, used batteries, empty bags, empty boxes, a dozen small cheap radios, it was mind-boggling. 

My Dad told me I could take what I wanted as long as I ran it by him first.  I initially wanted only 4 paintings, (Grandma had done over 40 oils over the past 30 years) but came home with a few other things...a small box of jewelry, a hand-painted lap desk, a holy water font, a wooden nativity set, a few pieces of china, old photos, a scrapbook my Grandma had kept of all the pictures and letters I'd ever sent her (I choked up when I saw it), a small rug, 12 of her paintings, and some other momentoes.  Nothing was of real value, just things I knew I wanted to pass down to my own children some day. 

The most precious thing I was able to bring back was my Grandma's rocking chair.  It was the one thing I admit I'd hoped to have.  Yesterday, as I drove home, I would look at it through my rear view mirror, and would just start crying.  I couldn't even sit in it until today...there is a crack in one of the runners that will have to be fixed, but otherwise, the chair is in fine shape.  The finish is a bit worn on the armrests; David said we could have it refinished, but I said no.   I want to keep it exactly the way it is.  I still cannot look at it without getting choked up...it doesn't seem real to have things of my Grandparents while they are still living. 

The chair is now in our bedroom.  Grandma embroidered the upholstery herself many years ago.

And here are a few of the oil paintings. 

I am praying my Grandparents will be around a little bit longer.  Maybe they are ready, and know things we don't, but none of us are ready to say goodbye just yet.  I know this is all in God's hands, and His plan is perfect, yet our whole family is struggling just the same.  A good friend told me it's because we all love Grandpa and Grandma so much.  That much is true...no matter what happens, they will always be loved.   

Rebecca's First Holy Communion

Rebecca made her First Holy Communion today.  Truly, there are no words to describe how I feel.  More than anything...to know Jesus now dwells forever in our daughter's heart, and she really understands what that means...how can you express that?

Since I'm at a loss for words, I'll just let the pictures tell you everything.

 The day was beautiful, Rebecca received the Body and Blood of Christ perfectly.   We are so happy family and friends shared our special day with us, and we owe so much to Ms. Katie and Ms. Valerie for preparing Rebecca so well.  She was calm and reverence at Mass, but she did say one adorable thing Sunday morning:

"Mommy, I feel famous!"

I said (laughing), "Sweetheart, you can be famous for now...today is all about you!" 

"While they were eating, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and said, 'Take it; this is my body. Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  He said to them, 'This is my blood of the convenant, which will be shed for many.' "  Mark 14:22-25

The Kids and Summer Plans

I have been remiss...I haven't posted about all the kids since last summer.  They've all changed so much since then.  Here is the latest. 

Joshua will be 11 in June...I still haven't recovered from his double-digit birthday last year.  He has been diligently saving up his allowance, birthday money, etc. for a Nintendo DSI.  Apparently, David and I are the only parents who did not give their child a DS for Christmas last year.  I guess we are just cruel and insensitive; making our kids pay for an expensive electronic toy themselves.  There will also be a written contract governing the use of the DS that Joshua will have to sign.  He already asks me a million times a day if he can go play on the computer or watch TV, so there had to be some regulation plan.  At least it's one more thing I can hold over his head if he is disrespectful, brings home a bad grade, harasses his sisters, etc.  Joshua is enjoying being in Cub Scouts with David...they shot off model rockets yesterday at the high school parking lot.  He said it was "really, really awesome!"  We were really impressed with his last report card, three A's and three B's, which was insanely good for him. 

Rebecca (8) also saved up her money to get a Nintendo DS...because she can't bear to be outdone by her older brother (and yes, she'll be signing a contract too).  I constantly find papers, journals, and her other writings all over the house.  The past few weeks, her conduct at school has been below par...talking too much.  After an email to her teacher, and a stern discussion regarding her behavior, we have not seen much improvement.  But...I know it is spring fever; it's running rampant at school, and she is bring home stellar work and grades (she's made straight A's all year long on her report cards).  So...we told her to be quiet, or that new DS coming in the mail would not make it into her eager little hands!  The biggest event for Rebecca is her First Holy Communion this Sunday.  I don't know how I'm going to get through Mass without crying...I got choked up just getting her pictures done.  She is really, really ready!

Christina (5 1/2) is starting to emerge from the shadow of her big sister.  We'ver tried very hard to give her a little more attention.  As the third child in birth order, I really think she doesn't get enough.  Now that we know she has allergies, (read more about that here) she is getting fussed over, although we're trying not making a big deal about it.  She understands more than I give her credit for--and she has assurred me if she needs her inhaler, she will tell her teachers and go see the school nurse.  Sometimes she is rather quiet and shy, so I wasn't sure she would speak up for herself.  There are times she acts like a baby, and throws massive temper tantrums...which require every ounce of my patience to get through.  But she loves coloring, drawing, and making sweet pictures for me, and is slowly becoming a more independent child.  She went to a birthday party all by herself yesterday (I didn't stay, and her older sister wasn't invited), and everyone told me she behaved beautifully...I am really proud of her.  ;-)

Gabriel (3) still thinks he is the baby of the house, and will tell you this is true, ("I the baby, I not a big boy.").  But officially he is...he was fully potty trained just after Christmas, and loves going to Mother's Day Out 2x a week.  Unfortunately, he went through a period of separation anxiety in January, right before he was supposed to start a new speech program.  Being in a new environment for speech didn't help his anxiety at all, so we pulled him out, and will have him tested again in the fall.  I am hoping he won't need speech at all...his MDO teacher say he communicates very well, speaks in full sentences, and interacts with his other classmates.  We will just have to wait and see.  Gabriel is in love with Elmo, Blues, Clues, and is constantly singing in the van along with the radio.  He tries very hard to keep up with all the other kids, and just learned how to pedal a tricycle.  The girls dote on him...sometimes too much, but he certainly doesn't lack for attention around here. 

I have our summer nearly all planned out.  Swim team for May and most of June, and VBS the last week of that month.  Then a math camp for Joshua, a cooking camp for the girls, and a trip to Dallas in July.  The last week of July, the girls will have Choir Camp, and Joshua has a science camp (otherwise he will be bored at home with no sisters to harrass. ;-) In August, we will head up to Wisconsin for the 2010 CCL Convention in Green Lake with plans to stop in Mansfield, Missouri to vist the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historical House and Museum, and visit with relatives on David's side of the family (in Wisconsin and Chicago).  Our 10-year-old van has 112,000 miles (and counting!) miles on it, and just had a major transmisson overhaul last month.  I hope it makes the trip and back! 

I think that is enough for now.  I will be one busy bee this week, getting ready for family coming into town for Rebecca's First Communion.  Here's praying I won't stress too much, or cry too much on Sunday!