Thursday, November 24, 2011

11/24/11

To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do. ~ Victor Hugo

I am thankful for thankfulness and gratefulness. It is great to take the time to think about all the reasons we have to be thankful in life. I am blessed.

Bennett - I am thankful for Mommy and Douglas. Seriously Mom, I just want to be thankful for YOU! (I asked him to try and think of something else since he had already been thankful for me. He's too cute!)

Harrison - I am thankful that I get to come to Davenport to celebrate Thanksgiving with everyone. I love family.

Christopher - I am thankful for Bennett.


Grandma - I am thankful that my grandkids are here for Thanksgiving.

Grandpa - I am thankful for being alive and being able to celebrate the holidays.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

11/23/11

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out my nose. ~ Woody Allen

I am thankful for a day with my boys. They are funny, insightful, wonderful beings. I love them with my whole heart!

Bennett - I am thankful for Daddy and Douglas.

Harrison - I am thankful I got to see Daddy before I went to bed tonight.

Christopher - I am thankful to be coming home for Thanksgiving.

11/23/10 thankful post

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

11/22/11

It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart. ~ Unknown

I am thankful for plane tickets!

Graysen - I am thankful for Beth. I keep taking my socks off and she keeps putting them back on!

Annabelle - I am thankful for the orange apron.

Miles - I am thankful for Ratatouille that I want for my birthday. And I am thankful for ice cream cake from Annabelle's birthday!

Caden - I am thankful for C's.

Bennett - I am thankful for a bush because I can hide behind them when I play Hide-and-Go-Seek with Harrison, Caden, and Miles.

Harrison - I am thankful for Thanksgiving because Mr. Johnson read a book to us that was about a girl that saved Thanksgiving.

Christopher - I am thankful to my cousin Andy for all the help last night.

Monday, November 21, 2011

11/21/11

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. ~ Unknown

I am not thankful that our fridge decided to stop working. I am thankful to Christopher and Andy for getting the new one and bringing it home and taking off the door and moving the cabinets and... all on a Monday night. Thank you, thank you!

Graysen - I am thankful for crackers in soup. Yummy!!

Annabelle - I am thankful for banana bread. So Yummy!!

Miles - I am thankful for car naps!

Caden - I am thankful for car naps!

Bennett - I am thankful for car naps!

Harrison - I am thankful for my winter coat. I look like Connor!

Christopher - I am thankful that I found a new fridge in 5 minutes.



Sunday, November 20, 2011

11/20/11

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~ Oscar Wilde

I am thankful for the heater in my car. It was COLD this morning going to work!!!

Bennett - I am thankful I got to go to Daddy's work today. And I am thankful for me.

Harrison - I am thankful that I got to help take cans back today. It was neat to use the machines and we got money!!

Christopher - I am thankful that I got to spend the whole weekend at home.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

11/19/11

"We've got a blue collar football team. We got a group of young men who put their hard hats on every day and just continue to go to work. I could not be prouder of the effort they put out tonight." ~ Paul Rhoads

I am thankful to be a Cyclone. I am grateful to Coach Rhoads. I bleed Cardinal and Gold!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bennett - I am thankful to be a Cyclone!!

Harrison - I am thankful to be a Cyclone!!

Christopher - I am thankful to be a Cyclone!!

Friday, November 18, 2011

11/18/11

Dear Lord, I am grateful I am still loved. ~ Vivian Leigh

I am thankful for yarn wreaths. I love making them!!!

Graysen - I am thankful for Elmo. Graysen sleeps with Elmo at my house and recently, when he wakes up, he plays Peek-a-boo with Elmo. "Elmo, where are yoooouuuu?" Too cute!!!

Annabelle - I am thankful for Bennett's aquarium night-light. It's only nap-time, so it's usually light out, but I still can't sleep without it!

Miles - I am thankful for cotton candy.

Bennett - I am thankful for water. I like to drink water. I like to take a bath in water. I love to swim in water. Mom, can we go swimming? Or get the sprinkler out? Can we do that, please?

Harrison - I am thankful for Friday nights and pizza!!

Christopher - I am thankful it's my first day of work this week and it's Friday!!!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

11/17/11

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~ Mark Twain

I am thankful for Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side. Comics just aren't the same without them...

Graysen - I am thankful I can jump with 2 feet off the ground. And I am thankful that Beth thinks this is hysterical and that makes me smile and jump more!

Annabelle - I am thankful for lift-the-flap books.

Miles - I am thankful for Harrison and Bennett's cool Lego's.

Caden - I am thankful for Star Wars Legos.

Bennett - I am thankful for you. (Thank you, Bennett. I love that. You have already been thankful for me. What else are you thankful for?) Only you. I am thankful for you, you, you. And Daddy and Harrison. You, Daddy and Harrison. And Caden. And Miles. That's all. (I wonder if he watched The Jerk last night when I wasn't looking!?!?)

Harrison - I am thankful that everyone was here today. I love to play with them after school.

Christopher - I am thankful I am on my way home. Bedtime surprise for the boys!!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

11/16/11

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ Unknown

I am thankful for friends. Wonderful, important, great friends. Friends help make my world go round.

Graysen - I am thankful for blocks. I love to knock down towers no matter whose they are!

Annabelle - I am thankful for the play cart. I go Hy-Vee!!!

Miles - I am thankful for trucks. Monster trucks. Digger trucks. Semi-trucks are cool.

Caden - I am thankful for candy!!

Bennett - I am thankful for daddy. I miss him.

Harrison - I am thankful that Lauren came to visit.

Christopher - I am thankful this is my last night in a hotel.

Lauren - I am thankful for real food, little punks like Harrison and Bennett and garlic. I love garlic!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

11/15/11

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks. ~ William Shakesphere

I am thankful for my camera. Pictures are ways to bring memories to life.

Graysen - I am thankful to be healthy again.

Annabelle - I am thankful for my tutu's.

Miles - I am thankful for the new bear puzzle at your house.

Caden - I am thankful for chocolate cake.

Bennett - I am thankful for Baby Bear and Birthday Bear.

Harrison - I am thankful for tilapia. Yum!

Christopher - I am thankful my mother-in-law told me to find a little dive mexican restaurant called Conejitos while I am in Milwaukee. Yummy!

Mom - I am thankful for coffee my daughter brings me. :)

Monday, November 14, 2011

11/14/11

Express an attitude of gratitude!

I am thankful for my mom. I hope she realizes she is truly special and wonderful.

Annabelle - I am thankful that I am Happybelle.

Miles - I am thankful for your cool house and your cool toys. And I love the big wheel.

Bennett - I am thankful that I am SuperStar at school this week!

Harrison - I am thankful that I got to pick green tomatoes for a green tomato pie! And it's the middle of November!

Christopher - I am thankful that my hotel room has a sleep number bed. Ahhhhhh.

Mom - I am thankful for 60 degree weather in the middle of November and being able to still garden.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

11/13/11

Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Gandhi

I am thankful for coffee at 4:15 am. Boy that's early. But really I am thankful for coffee at any hour!

Bennett - I am thankful for my camera.

Harrison - I am thankful that I got to go to the airport.

Christopher - I am thankful that I get to see my dad on his birthday.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

11/12/11

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for
~ Josh Groban

I am thankful for Bennett. He is wonderful. I enjoyed hanging with him today while Harrison was at his play-date. I learned more about zombies, baby bees and the things that his baby bear does when he should be sleeping than I thought possible. His imagination is endless!

Bennett - I am thankful for lunch out with mom. Hu-Hot!!!!!

Harrison - I am thankful I got to go on a play-date today.

Christopher - I am thankful to be home to play with my kids.

Friday, November 11, 2011

11/11/11

Those who expect to reap the blessings of liberty must undergo the fatigues of supporting it. ~ Thomas Paine

I am thankful for numbers. Every little thing makes life more interesting. Today is also a doubly thankful day as we celebrate the actions of those who have stood proud to keep our country free and to help others attain those same freedoms. Freedom comes at a price and that is sometimes easily overlooked, but I never overlook the fact that freedom and control are two very separate ideals.

Annabelle - I am thankful for pretty bracelets.

Miles - I am thankful for toy dinosaurs. Real dinosaurs are scary.

Bennett - I am thankful for flowers. They look pretty on your shirt.

Harrison - I am thankful for my principal, Mr. Johnson for reading a book to us called Corduroy.

Christopher - I am thankful for 60 degree weather for the last Iowa home game.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

11/10/11

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning. ~ Albert Einstein

I am thankful for babies. They bring joy in the present and hope for the future.

Graysen - I am thankful for my legs. I love to run and run and run and run...

Annabelle - I am thankful for Be-neT. Annabelle loves her some Bennett!

Miles - I am thankful for my blankie and my bed. It is warm.

Caden - I am thankful for my froggy blanket.

Bennett - I am thankful for grass. I like to look at grass and I like to run on grass. And grass is green.

Harrison - I am thankful that I was polite today. I accidentally stepped on a friend's hand and I said 'Sorry' right away.

Christopher - I am thankful for $.50 Clif Bars.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

11/9/11

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. ~ Cicero

I am thankful for Christopher. He is wonderful, caring, loving and all-around awesome. And he shoveled this morning at 5:30 since he leaves for work around 5:50 am. What a guy!

Annabelle - I am thankful for Mimi.

Miles - I am thankful for dump trucks at school. I really like them.

Bennett - I am thankful for snow.

Harrison - I am thankful for Izze soda. Yummy!!

Kira - I am thankful for my mom.

Christopher - I am thankful that the orange barrel underneath the semi I was behind this morning did not dislodge and hit me!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

11/8/11

Most important thought, if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. ~ Walter Payton

I am thankful for rainy days. I love a good, cozy inside day almost as much as a bright, cheery warm outside day. Cuddle, cuddle!

Annabelle - Candy. "I want candy!"

Miles - I am thankful that my house is cool and my toys are cool.

Bennett - I am thankful for Grandma and Grandpa. Because I like them. :)

Harrison - I am thankful that the Bears won last night.

Christopher - I am thankful for how excited Harrison gets when he knows the Bears are playing on Monday night!


Monday, November 7, 2011

11/7/11

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. ~ Oprah Winfrey

I am thankful for my Aunt Marcy. It was nice to visit with her today.

Graysen - Graysen is thankful for Peek-a-boo. In the car I hear 'Beth, where are yoooou?'

Annabelle - I am thankful for Miles. 'I love Mah-heen.'

Miles - I am thankful that I love Mommy's car. And signs. I love that sign and that white one over there. (I asked while we were in the car.)

Caden - I am thankful for cool, Hot Wheels cars.

Bennett - I am thankful for rhyming words like Brock and sock!

Harrison - I am thankful that I got to see all of my friends at school today.

Christopher - I am thankful that this day is going to end at some point.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

11/6/11

Nothing in your life is beyond redemption. ~ Sting

I am thankful for Pad Thai. Seriously. Pad Thai. I LOVE Pad Thai.

Bennett - I am thankful for apples. They have juice in them!

Harrison - I am thankful that we get to have french toast for dinner!!

Christopher - I am thankful to be home safe and sound.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

11/5/11

To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition. ~ Samuel Johnson

I am thankful for alone time. Alone time is necessary, seldom and refreshing. It also gives you a chance to remember that it's not normal to have the house to yourself when you have a 6 and 4 year old and a wonderful husband!

Bennett - I am thankful for my daddy.

Harrison - I am thankful for the Iowa Hawkeye football win over Michigan.

Christopher - I am thankful for 20 year old chap-stick. (Windy at the game today!)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Tooth-fairy

The tooth-fairy finally made an appearance at our house last week. I really don't know anything else that Harrison has waited for more than this. His cousin, James, lost his first tooth over a year ago and as Harrison pointed out, "James is like 7 months younger than me!!!" Thankfully Harrison has come to understand that kids grow at different rates and adults come in all shapes and sizes. :)

On Wednesday, I got a text message from his teacher along with a picture. The message asked me if I noticed anything missing and the picture showed a little boy who was just about as happy as he could be. I was a little disappointed that he had lost his tooth at school, but just seeing how happy he was made it all better.

Luckily the tooth-fairy has been saving up for this day for a long time now as well. Harrison's tooth has been loose since the beginning of October! So under the pillow went the tooth at bedtime and when Harrison woke up, there was a shiny $1 gold coin in it's place. What a lucky kid!

P.S. I hope the tooth-fairy has another shiny $1 gold coin. The next tooth is loose, as well!


11/4/11

When I started counting my blessings, my whole world turned around. ~ Willie Nelson

I am thankful for my electric blanket. I love my electric blanket.

Graysen - Graysen is thankful for football helmets that can be worn forwards or backwards!

Annabelle - I am thankful I am a jumping bean! (After I change her diaper, she tells me she wants to be a jumping bean and I hold her hands while she jumps on the bed shouting "I'm a jumping bean!!!")

Miles - I am thankful for the caterpillar on the shelf at preschool. I like it.

Caden - I am thankful for kisses from my mommy.

Bennett - I am thankful for your iPhone, Mom.

Harrison - I am thankful for my mommies hugs. (This was being said while he was giving me a great hug before school!)

Christopher - I am thankful for my wife's internal alarm-clock.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

11/3/11

Today I am thankful for music. Who knew that dancing to 2Pac singing 'California Love' could be so fun when surrounded by kiddos that thankfully can't understand all the lyrics!

Graysen: "No!" (Graysen started using this word yesterday. Sigh.)

Annabelle: Happy. I am sooo happybelle!

Miles: I am thankful for preschool. It is so fun.

Caden: I am thankful for my mom. (I asked him and Bennett separate so they didn't know each other's answers! How cute!)

Bennett: I am thankful for you! (He said this while pointing at and giving me a great big smile!!)

Harrison: I am thankful for a yummy lunch at school. Sausage pizza!!

Christopher: I am thankful for blue skies.

Soccer 2011

Fall soccer has come and gone in the Neipert household. We started around the middle of August with practice and our last game was October 29th. It was a busy season as it was Bennett's first year of soccer and Chris was one of his coaches and it was Harrison's first year in the U8 league of more rules and regulations.

Here are my boys before their first big games.

I can't believe I am so lucky!

I love this picture! They are so happy. Is it just me or do they not look like each other at all?!?!


Harrison's team was named The Tornados and they were wonderful. We knew most of the kids on his team. Johnny, of course, and then there was Mason and Gabe from his baseball team this spring. We also knew Joseph because he goes to school with Johnny. Rounding out the team were Oliver, Drew and Sam.

Here they all are bringing it in at the end of their last game. "Go Tornados!"

Of course Harrison was the best on the team! I mean, what else do you expect me to say?! But, honestly, Harrison was great. He tried hard, hustled all the time and even scored a few goals along the way. The challenge they faced this year was trying to stay in their positions. Harrison was pretty good at getting all over the field and going to the ball. He was not great at staying back in the sweeper position. There he had to fight the urge to go to the ball until it came back down to his part of the field. He just wants the ball!!! I am no photographer, but here are a couple of action shots.

What form he has!

He he is behind Johnny and Drew. This is a time where he was playing the sweeper position.

We are so proud of him and his interest in soccer. He can't wait for next spring when they start again. This year was definitely a learning year as some of the teams were second year U8 teams and we were a first year U8 team. But whether we scored goals or not, Harrison had a great time. So much of a great time, he think he doesn't want to play baseball in the spring. Just soccer. Chris is inwardly crying.


Just when you think it won't happen, Bennett got old enough for soccer. But, contrary to his brother's love of the game, Bennett doesn't seem to think he wants to play ever again.

Bennett's team was called Maroon 6. Maroon shirts, 6 players. Funny stuff! The boys on Bennett's team were all new to us. There was Tomas, Tommy, Joe, Bennett, Ethan and Sam. Here they are after the last game with Coach Gary.


Bennett tried hard for almost all of the games. One game, Chris was there and it was cold and he had cold hands. Since his hands were cold he didn't want to play. Ugggg... We talked about commitment to the team and compromised that he would sit on the sidelines and watch his team. He did just that even though he thought I should have taken him home! Most of the time, Bennett just ran around in the area that the ball was. He never really got in there and kicked to much, but he was off chasing butterflies either! He did score one goal and it was at his first game (that I missed!). I did give him the 'Spacing Award' for the season though. :)

Bennett getting to kick the ball off with Sam.

Coach Gary brought oranges for halftime for almost every game. This was Bennett's favorite part!

Time will tell if there is soccer in Bennett's future. Currently he doesn't want to play baseball, play soccer, go to camp or do anything that involves kids and adults he doesn't know. Spring might be the first time I 'push' one of my children into doing something they don't want to do. I don't mind Bennett not wanting to do something, but I do mind being too shy to not get involved in something you love. He loves soccer and baseball at home...

I am happy that the seasons are over. Last night was the first Wednesday in 3 months that we didn't have practice!

Thankful Season

Tis the season to be thankful. Thank goodness!!!!

I am grateful and thankful everyday, but sometimes thankfulness takes a back burner to preschool, dinner, laundry, soccer, etc. Thankfulness shouldn't take a back burner but that is what I love about November. Thanksgiving is soon and I have a whole month to remind myself what a lucky gal I really am.

Today is November 3rd, so I am going to back track for the 1st 2 days of my 30 days of thanks.

November 1st - I am thankful for my boys. Chris, Harrison and Bennett make my world go round and I don't know or wonder what my life would be like without them.


November 2nd - I am thankful for good books. Even trashy ones! My friend Heather started me on the Sookie Stackhouse series. I am hooked. If you have ever seen or heard of True Blood on HBO I suggest you check these out. True Blood is based on these books.