This -n- That

Since I last blogged, we have attended high school freshman orientation. Jacob mapped out his academic plan for the next four years. Scary! His schedule looks pretty good. Hopefully girls won't throw too big a wrench in the "plan".

Last night we attended the middle school talent show. Jacob was supposed to be a participant in the show. A friend of his was going to rap while Jacob provided the beat (a.k.a beat box). Evidently the friend chickened out because he was a no show. We stayed and watched the show. It was pretty good...lots of interpretive dance routines and vocal solos. I told Scott that he should thank God that he had boys because he never would have made it through the dance recital circuit.

Jacob's Dunk

Jacob can now dunk the basketball...or does Jared have a future in editing? I'll let you be the judge.

Happy 16th Colleen!

A big thanks to Karen and Colleen for a fun evening filled with laughs. For the past several years Karen has asked me to help chaperone Colleen's birthday parties. Obviously to keep Karen company, not for my toughness. Last night was a biggie that started at Tiffany's (sniff, sniff), took us to PF Chang's, and ended at the movies (Step Up 2).

I wish I had a way to transfer a recording from my phone to the blog. I'm sure there's a way but I don't know what it is (help Joseph?) Anyway, the girls and maybe a couple of chaperones were singing at the top of their lungs (whaling as Ariel put it) and we just happened to catch it on the cell phone. What a fun time!!

PS A bonus to working at the high school...when they talk about boys, I actually know who they're talking about. :)

So while I was out with the girls, Scott and the boys went to Gabe's first baseball practice, made beef jerky from Jacob's deer, repaired a kitchen chair and played a rousing game of Wac-A-Mole. Fun evening all around.

No School Again Today!

Should have seen how giddy we were in the library yesterday when they announced that school was going to be closed today due to a high percentage of illness. We were singing, laughing, there may have even been a high five--this is the teacher's not the students. We blamed it on the high chocolate content in our blood stream (Valentine's Day candy). Whatever the reason we were doing our happy dance. (Sorry to those of you who were actually ill to buy us this day off--we appreciate you suffering.)

So what are the boys and I doing with our day off? Absolutely nothing ...actually a little this and a little that. If that makes any sence at all. I know very vague but it would be way to boring to tell you that I once again was doing laundry.

Have a great day!

PS We also have Monday off--President's Day! If you want someone to complain to, call Scott. Poor guy has to put up with a house full of lazy people, sleeping late while he gets up at the crack of dawn to head to the office. Sorry Honey!

The Color Test

Try this out. It not as easy as it looks.

<http://www.njagyouth.org/colortest.swf>

Snow Day!

We finally got our snow day! No School! We did our snow dance before we went to bed last night, but we've danced before resulting in zero precipitation. The boys have already been out to play.

How are we spending our free day? A little laundry, Jared baked a cake. vaccumed under the couch cushions (didn't find any money--only crumbs, a nerf bullet and one sock). Got a call from Heather this morning. There's nothing like an old friend. Good to hear from you Heath!

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY COLLEEN!!!!! I can't wait until we celebrate on Saturday!

Another Great Weekend

The weekend started with Dad & Martha stopping by on their way home from two weeks of traveling throughout the south. Their travels took them to Memphis, Tunica, Texas, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Biloxi, Florida, Nashville and home. They have completely embraced retirement and seemed so very care free and happy.

Friday night--Jared went to a Valentine's dance at school and Jacob went to a birthday party. While they were dancing, the rest of us went to O'Charley's for a good dinner.

Saturday--Jacob & Jared had baseball practice and Gabe had baseball tryouts. This is Gabes first time to play baseball. He was so excited and very cute dressed in his baseball threads. While the guys were at the ballpark, Martha and I shopped. We found some amazing deals!(pants for 8.00, shirts for 4.15--WOW!) After shopping, we met the guys at Cinco for some delicious mexican delights.

Sunday--Dad & Martha got up early and headed north (to 14 degree weather). I worked on laundry and made a pot of potato cheese soup. We spent about an hour at the ballpark this afternoon just having some fun together. It was a little cold so we didn't stay long.

Free Day

Today was parent/teacher conference day; translation - no school. The boys and I slept in a little (7:00). We spent the morning around the house, leisurely cleaning up. All three boys had dental appointments at 2:00. Two out of the three were cavity free. Unfortunately Gabe is the one who has to go back for a filling. Any suggestions on how to relax him. The dentist administers gas but last time it didn't seem to help.

After the dentist we went and bought Jacob some new cleats. His feet have officially outgrown his fathers. He's wearing a size 11. No kidding...I did the thumb test and it's for real...size 11.

We Fought Hard!

Our boys fought hard tonight but came up a bit short. Jacob played the last game of his eighth grade season...he even fouled out. That's one way to get a standing ovation. I think he's pretty bummed that it's over.

Jason is doing a fabulous job tiling the laundry room floor. He plans to be finished tomorrow. I'll post some pictures when the project is complete.

Blaugh, Algebra

Jacob and Scott have their heads together working on Jacob's math homework. Scott, who is very proficient at math, was grumbling. I may have heard an....I don't like your teacher...how do you feel about a remedial math class.... Thankfully Scott is in town (he heads to Chicago tomorrow) because that would leave me to help Jacob with his algebra which would be no help at all. In fact the boys won't even ask me for help in math anymore. Occasionally I'll ask if they want my help just to hear them laugh. (little brats)

Jason is coming over to tile our laundry room and the boys bathroom tomorrow. I'm washing clothes like a mad woman so we can pull the washer and dryer out in preparation.

Jacob plays basketball tomorrow night and Jared has his first official baseball practice of the season.

Took the boys to get their haircut yesterday and the lady absolutely butchered them. Jacob looked like he was in kindergarten..bangs straight across, and cut short over his ears. He woke up for school this morning and asked me to shave his head. So, he's now hairless (not quite but very, very short). Jared decided he could camoflauge his hair massacre with a little gel.

Ramblings

It's a beautiful sunny Saturday. It's warm enough to trick you into thinking Spring is right around the corner. Jacob and Jared had baseball practice this morning. I'd love to say I went out for a run but that would be a lie, instead I vaccuumed---sounds boring, I know, but the house desperately needed it. I at least accomplished something.

We worked the gate at the Central game last night. We were victorious over Gallatin HS. Great game!

Tonight we're headed back to Cheatham County for Jacob to play basketball. We got knocked into the losers bracket last week so this is a consolation game but we got far enough in the tournament that we still advance to the state tournament. I'm not really sure how that works.

After the game, we're meeting friends for mexican. Yummy! I'm thinking maragarita's.....