Day 65: Happy Leap Day!

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Thirty days has September,

    April, June, & November.

All the rest have thirty-one.

   …except February which has 28.

But, once every year in four,

   February has one more!

Today we leapt onto the net for WOYWW, had a play day with the cat, discovered Dick & Jane, had basketball practice, CCD (Faith Formation), and made some banana muffins for the office.

We miss you.

Love,

Me

Translation: We may have gotten an extra day, but we aren’t any less busy

I often joke that I wish that I had an extra hour or two to the day, or an extra day to the week…well, here is our bonus day, and not much seems to have changed!  The poor cat was forced to “play” with the kids and her new toy.  Oldest Child had discovered the show “Cats from Hell” on Animal Planet and has it DVR’d.  After many an episode, the consensus amongst the kids was that the cat “needed” a toy of her own to stop the nervous pee-ing in the front room whenever company spent the night.

self portrait of Jr. Cat Whisperers

Since Grandmother was due in about a week, I gave in.  Who am I to argue   with a cat whisperer?  The cat wishes that I had saved my $3.  Serves her right for continuing to make poor choices.  Maybe I can hide the toy…except for when she is Naughty!

One cool thing discovered today…Girl Friday LOVES Dick and Jane.  My resident non-reader *sigh* has been inspired by the vintage reader, and spent almost an hour going through all the chapters (like 100 pages) of the anthology that I had.  It is amazing how the strangest things can be the spark to read!

At practice, Illusive Middle Child dominated the practice…as usual.  This means that he was coaches example, he “got it” first, and got fouled the most by his frustrated guards.  Which lead to…free throw practice.  Illusive Middle Child actually got more than he missed.  Not bad for a little (or not so little) guy!

Back home, we had bananas on the verge of turning on us and becoming fruit fly fodder.  So, that meant banana muffins.  As per our conversation, Girl Friday and I made an assortment of flavors to ship out to you and your office mates on the front (with extra chocolate chip ones for home).  This is one of her favorite things to do…bake. 

Maybe we have a pastry chef in the making?

Day 61: Basketball Game Day #6

It was another fun day of basketball games.  Illusive Middle Child dominates more and more of the court...

and Girl Friday becomes less interested.  Oldest Child served mass.  We also had MR and her son over for Pizza & Movie night (temporarily moved to Saturdays to accommodate meat toppings and the Lenten ban on non-seafood meat on Fridays).

We miss you!

Love,

Me

Translation: Company!

Well, basketball continues in its Saturday time suck vortex of our lives.  That is OK, at least it is close, so that only the player and parent need to attend.  Oldest Child and the non-playing basketball-er can stay home while the other one has court time.  Although, both Illusive Middle Child and Girl Friday profess to still love the sport, so I have the feeling that there are many, many more basketball games in our future.

This week we also had our first house guests since Fabulous Spouse left!  MR and her son (remind me, I need to ask her for a code name, LOL!)  Tonight was Costco pepperoni pizza and Puss & Boots for the movie.  It was nice to have some company over, and a glass of wine with someone!  The movie was a hit with the kids, but I am glad that we waited for the DVD, as I would have been disappointed with the gargantuan cost to take the four of us (and I think it would have been 5 when it was released).

Day 59: Harlem Globetrotters

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Tonight we went to see the Harlem Globe Trotters for the first time.  Everyone had a great time, event Oldest Child, who “does not like basketball”.  The little guys were beyond amazed.

We miss you.

Love,

Me

Translation: That was AWESOME!

Since this was the first year that Illusive Middle Child and Girl Friday played basketball, I figured that it would be a perfect time for the family to have their first Harlem Globetrotter Experience.  Oldest Child really did not want to go, and yet even he was ready to sign us up for next year by the end of the show.

First stop was a basketball and a program. Then a bathroom break and food.  Then it was showtime!They all loved the antics and amazing passes…and the irreverent and layered humor.  They especially loved the mascot: Globe-y.

In the end, they got their picture and autograph with “Big E”… (note that Oldest Child is almost as big as the tallest Globetrotter) and Illusive Middle Child is now convinced that he needs to learn how to spin a basketball on his finger!

Day 54: Basketball Game Day #5

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

It is amazing how much the kids have improved.  Had a 9AM and 2:50 Game today, and picked up Girl Scout cookies in between!

We love you and miss you!

Love,

Me

Translation: Will clean for cookies

Illusive Middle child continues to improve his basketball game.  It would be amazing to see how he would do with a real coach and practice more than one hour a day one day a week (not that I am complaining).  He is getting more and more rebounds, and is even getting some goals (points? scores?) in the basket.

On our way to Girl Friday’s game, we picked up our Girl Scout cookies.  It is amazing the power of Girl Scout cookies.  Suddenly with Girl Scout cookies in her future, Girl Friday was ready to play ball… and play she did! (Translation: she followed the ball like a wild girl rather than her mark).  She did get the ball twice.  Both times she got called for travelling.  Oh, well!

When we got home, it was amazing how quickly laundry got done and folded…and the play room even got picked up a bit with the promise of the annual two free boxes of cookies on the line.

Day 52: 1st Wrestling Match of the Season

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Today was Oldest Child’s first wrestling match of the year.  He got to be Varsity for 250lb. weight class and did great!  He got pinned, but if he could have lasted 15 more seconds, he would have won on points. Not too shabby!

We miss you.

Love,

Me

Translation: It was a very long night for 3 minutes of action!

We started off with another half day of school.  Good news is that Girl Friday was the star student for the day in her class, and she was SO proud!

After a few hours, I packed up the little guys and the neighbor kid and we headed off to Oldest Child’s first wrestling match of the season.  I was so proud of Oldest Child for securing the Varsity spot in the 250lb. slot for the team.

We were all worried that it would be over in under 10 seconds… a regular occurrence last year.  However, this time around, I think that Oldest Child was in better shape, and had learned a thing or two, so he did much better.  He almost made it to the end of the third period, and if he had not gotten pinned in the last few seconds of the match, then he would have won on points (3-2).

However, it took FOREVER to get to his match.  The powers that be had decided to run the junior varsity matches first, then Varsity.  So, it was almost 6:30PM by the time that Oldest Child finished.  So, we had to race out and run through Taco Bell in order to get Girl Friday to basketball on time.

We got her dropped off, picked up Oldest Child, dropped him and his brother home with their dinner, popped into our Finance Council meeting, then popped back out to pick up Girl Friday and call it a night.

Day 50: Happy Valentine’s Day

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Divine providence that you finally got your box with your Valentine’s Day cards… three days after it was supposed to arrive.  However, maybe that made it sweeter, as you were able to actually enjoy them on Valentine’s Day!  Try not to OD on the sweets that arrived!

We miss you!

Love,

Me

Translation: Mmmmm… chocolate.  Now get in the car.

Tuesday is a rough day on a slow Tuesday, let alone a holiday. 

This morning started early, 5AM early, as the little guys were excited to see what Valentine’s goodies had been placed at their seats while they slept.  They were especially excited about the little stuffed animals that “Dad” had sent them (way cooler than the chocolates that Mom had gotten them).  In his haste to extricate his Valentine’s mouse, Illusive Middle Child managed to maim his mouse.  It was earth shattering, and required an ER- stat.

After that emergency, it was off to school.  Then it was back to school after Illusive Middle Child realized that he left his box of Valentines in the front room when he put them down to put on his shoes. (However, he did have his mouse).

After school let out at noon, I had three kids high on sugar buzzing about the house.  All that comes up, must come down.  So, by the time that dinner was ready, the little guys were ready to crash and burn.  However, the sight of heart shaped, banana chocolate chip pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles, bacon, and sparkling apple cider was more than enough to perk them up.  Which was good, because the evening was just starting!

First, we dropped Illusive Middle Child off early at his basketball practice (they were working on tip offs in the picture), then we picked up oldest child from wrestling practice and dropped him home for a solo Valentine’s dinner and shower.  Then we got Girl Friday to her Daisy Scout Valentines party…only 10 minutes late! (Woo Hoo! Almost on time!!!)  After getting a slot for sight sales for Girl Scout cookies (Girl Friday is definitely going to be selling less this year as we have only one slot right now), it was back to boys’ basketball.

Now it was time to reverse the process, and go from basketball to Daisy Scouts, to home (to pick up the now fed and sanitized Oldest Child), to Boy Scouts, to home to get the little guys ready for bed…then back to Boy Scouts.

I guess it is a good thing that you were not home and expecting to go out on a date! LOL!

Day 47: Basketball Game Day #4 & a Movie

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Today was another basketball game day.  It was also the weekend release of Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace in 3D, so we went.

We miss you.

Love,

Me

Translation: How long does it take to get Teriyaki Chicken and rice in a Sushi restaurant?

Today was actually our turn to provide snacks for both boys and girls basketball.  No big deal.  This was a chance for us to get rid of the Fritos that were accumulating in the pantry, as the kids never seem to want to eat them in their lunches.

Illusive Middle Child is really getting better.  He is now the tip off center, the ball thrower inner, the primary rebound guy, and is getting enough confidence to start throwing baskets!

This week, Girl Friday was not as into basketball as she has been in the past.  I am not sure if it is because we had a substitute coach, or that she is finally realizing that as the youngest, she may have the passion for the game, but she has not developed all of the skills.  It did not help, that the one time that she did get the ball at the end of the first half, she got called for travelling two seconds later!   In any event, Girl Friday did her time in the first half, but only played the last 3 minutes of the second half.

After basketball, we headed to the theater to see our limited time, 3D Star Wars movie.  Given the choice between 4PM movie and then dinner or dinner and then a 5:20PM movie, they chose the latter.  So, we got our tickets and headed over to Conveyer Belt Sushi!

The first thing that we did was order the little guys’ hot Teriyaki chicken and rice, as they are more a sushi is cool in theory than in practice.  Thirty minutes later, Oldest child and I had eaten our fill, our water glasses were empty and still no teriyaki.  40 minutes… 50 minutes…  it finally came just after 5PM.  So, the starving young ones inhaled their dinner, Oldest Child and I waited…still out of water, and then we hurried to catch our movie!

Save your pennies, you did not miss anything.  After Hugo, this was a big 3D disappointment.  Oh well.  The kids enjoyed it, and I guess that is what counts the most! (This is not the movie that you are looking for...)

Day 45: Wrestling Banquet

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Tonight was Illusive Middle Child’s wrestling banquet.  It was great to see the wrestling gang one last time for the season (and eat lots of pizza).

We miss you.

Love,

Me

Translation: Seriously, where is my clone?

Ok, while we temporarily have a handle on leftover management, the clones have gone missing again.  This time it was during the Wrestling banquet.  Of course the banquet is 6-8:30 (It actually finished at 7:45) and Girl Friday has basketball from 7-8.  No problem…you would think.

However, the coaches started handing out the awards at 6:30.  I had to make the tough mom call and make Girl Friday late rather than chancing missing Illusive Middle Child get his hard won plaque. Yes, at 7:06, his name was called… and Coach even said a little about him, which made him smile (about the New Year’s Eve morning match where he drove Illusive Middle Child, and asked him to help keep Coach awake…since he was battling a rough cold and had not slept much.  Illusive Middle Child was asleep within 10 minutes of the ride!)

So, as per usual, running late, we headed off o Girl Friday’s basketball practice.  Today’s focus was guarding your opponent…an area where Girl Friday can definitely use practice! (she still tends to leave her person and chase the ball).  I left her to check on the boys…and find the banquet wrapping up.  So, I took them home, caught the end of Girl Friday’s practice, and came home with her from that.  Like I said, where is my clone when I need her?

Day 43: Basketball & Boy Scouts

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

It was another semi crazy day today.  Luckily, there was no Girl Scouts, just wrestling, basketball, and boy scouts.  Now, if we could just get the middle school coaches to let the boys out on time, we just might be able to get somewhere on time!

Translation: As long as you do not pause to breathe, it is just like clockwork.

This is how the night goes.  Feed the little guys, get Illusive Middle Child ready for basketball. Then everyone piles into the car and heads to the middle school parking lot to watch the clock tick as wrestling practice runs late.  Oldest Child hops into the car, and we drive home.

At home, Oldest Child and Girl Friday get out so that Oldest Child can shower, change, and eat dinner (and Girl Friday can just hang).  Illusive Middle Child and I drive to basketball practice, and we are only about 10 minutes late (Yeah!).  Since there is another team scheduled after us, we always get out on time… or pretty close!

Then we head to the car, swing by the house, and pick up the other two to drop off Oldest Child at the church for Boy Scouts, and then head back home for an hour… just long enough to put dinner away (and contribute the growing leftover stashes).  Then it is back out again to pick up Oldest Child and get ready for bed.  Tired yet?

Day 40: Basketball Game Day#3

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Today was another basketball day.  Today we were  almost back to back with our games, so it was family day at the basketball court.  Afterwards, we went to Costco and picked up Super Bowl snacks.

We miss you!

Love,

Me

Translation: Get ‘er done, and yes you have to come

Today was a comedy of errors that ended well.  The plan: Pick up lunch at McD’s.  Pick up Girl Friday from sleepover.  Eat enroute.   Illusive Middle Child’s game.  Girl Friday’s game. Costco snack frenzy to get Super Bowl eats.





Reality: Got to McD’s drive-in. Realized that Girl Friday’s uniform was still at home. Went home.  Picked up uniform (luckily dry in the drier and not wet in the washer, as Saturday is laundry day). Dropped Illusive Middle Child off for game, as he was now almost late.  Picked up Girl Friday.  Ate in parking lot (no food allowed in gym)...side note: McD's new chicken poppers not great...at least at room temperature.  Missed first five minutes of Illusive Middle Child’s game.  Girl Friday’s was late starting, so Oldest Child complained that it was boring. (However, she did get a throw in like her brother usually does).

Next, the carrot that got Oldest Child out the door in the first place…pre-Super Bowl samples and the chummed waters of hungry/ desperate shoppers at Costco.  It was kind of like herding cats…hungry, feral cats, but we got through it and each picked one item.

I picked Cream Puffs

Oldest Child-Taquitoes

Illusive Middle Child- Honey BBQ wings

Girl Friday- Mozzarella Sticks

Are we ready for some football?  I think so!

Day 38: Baking Sugar Cookies

Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Today was spent doing shredding in the church office.  I came home to the most wonderful of presents.  Thank you!  The kids have decided that since you are so far away, that they need to provide the office with a Valentine’s Day Party complete with homemade Valentine’s sugar cookies.  Look for an extra box in 10 days or so!

We Miss You!

Love,

Me

Translation: I love my kids.  Really.

The one thing that I love about Christmas, is that it is only once a year.  There are certain things that incur stress and test the internal moral fortitude.  However, the infrequency gives you the strength to smile and carry on.  Making sugar cookies is one of those acts.

However, as Fabulous Spouse is stranded on a remote desert country that only owns one pay phone, the little guys have decided that their Dad’s office needs a Valentine’s Day party in a box…and that box needs hand cut sugar cookies.  Joy.

After surviving sugar cookies : ) , we had basketball.  Now, basketball is not my sport.  However, as a dutiful parent, I drive, I stay, and I absorb (some).  The biggest thing that I have absorbed is that my daughter and my son are playing two very different games.  While Illusive Middle Child is learning passes and teamwork, Girl Friday is learning court positions (apparently there are 5 around the key…another term I have learned), and defensive dribbling.  Interesting.  Really.

Day 36: Lots of Homework



Girl Friday helping make Green Ravioli



Dear Fabulous Spouse,

Wrestling is still running late.  This coupled with Honors homework for the end of the quarter means no Boy Scouts tonight.  However, we still have the craziness of boys basketball and Daisy Scouts at the exact same time…in different places.  Well, at least everyone is late!

We miss you.

Love,

Me

Translation: …And I Still have to go to Scouts?!

So, it is great that Oldest Child is mature enough to realize that homework and grades trump Boy Scouts…especially when grades are due for the quarter on Friday, and his Grammy promised him $25 if he could pull up his grades to five A’s, and #5 is teetering on the brink.  However, it seems that it is parent planning night at Boy Scouts, so I still need to attend.

The thing is, the universe would be running so much smoother, if the middle school wrestling coaches could tell time, and we were not always double booked for activities.  Luckily, our kids are pretty resilient.  So, dropped Oldest Child home to reheat dinner and do homework, dropped Illusive Middle Child off at basketball practice, and as soon as he disappeared into the gym, we put the car back into drive, and were only about twenty minutes late for Daisy Scouts.

At Daisy Scouts, we planned the spring activities, and the girls made cookie posters to sell cookies at the end of February.  Fortunately? Daisy Scouts was running late, so I left Girl Friday at Scouts, picked up Illusive Middle Child from practice (small plus is that there is another team scheduled immediately after him for the gym, so they cannot run late), then went back to Daisy Scouts.  Then the little guys got dropped home with their brother, and I was off (30 min late) to Boy Scouts.  I did not miss much.  Tuesdays are rough!