Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Interview with a 9 year old

Happy Birthday, Harrison!  You are loved.  You are special.  You are wonderful.  You are everything and more.  Enjoy this special year.  The beginning of your tweens as you so expertly told me a couple of weeks ago.  :)

What is your favorite color?  Purple

What is your favorite toy?  Microscope

What is your favorite fruit?  Clementine

What is your favorite vegetable?  Tomatoes - oh that's not a vegetable, ummmm corn

What is your favorite tv show?  Tom and Jerry

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Grilled cheese

What is your favorite thing to wear?  My yellow/orange pants

What is your favorite game?  Head Bandz

What is your favorite snack?  Oreos and/or Oreo Balls

What is your least favorite thing to eat?  Cauliflower

What is your favorite animal?  Rabbit

What is your favorite song?  I Wanna be a Billionaire

What is your favorite book?  The Hobbit

What is your favorite candy?  Chocolate

Who is your best friend?  Connor

What is your favorite cereal?  Raisin Bran

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  play soccer

What is your favorite drink?  Sprite

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas, because it is a time for giving, not getting

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Just me jammers

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Toast

What do your want for dinner on your birthday?  Shrimp

What do you and Mom do together?  Talk, have conversations

What do you and Dad do together?  Rough house 

What is your favorite sport?  Soccer

Where is your favorite place to go?  School

What makes you happy?  My friends and family

What makes you sad?  People dying

What are you really good at doing?  reading

What is your favorite movie?  Hop

What do you want to be when you grow up? soccer player

Interview with an 8 year old

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Up and Down

Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.  ~ David Thomas

I am thankful to be able to go see a lecture given by Amy Tan.  She was amazing.  Witty, smart, humble and honest.  And she is a great author and we all know how much I love books!

Christopher is thankful that I was not in the car when 'fucktard' hit the Alero.  (He really has a way with words.)  :)

Harrison is thankful that he got to watch two movies that he had recorded a long time ago.

Bennett is thankful that Dad was home all day.

Thankfulness 2012

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Lazy Saturday

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  ~ Desmond Tutu

I am thankful for my married-into-family.  I have married into a wonderful family and not only do I have a GREAT sister-in-law, but I have 5 fabulous gals that I am so thankful to call cousins.  And the men they married aren't so bad either!

Christopher is thankful to be working today.

Harrison is thankful that he got to stay in his pj's all day.

Bennett is thankful that he got yo start his day going to get hot chocolate with Mom.

Thankfulness 2012

Friday, November 8, 2013

It's Friday...

Keep your eyes open to your mercies.  The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.  ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

I am thankful for my love of baking.  And apple cider snicker doodles.  Delish!

Christopher is thankful for the nice weather.

Harrison is thankful for awesomeness.  Awesomeness is the key to success.  (Ego, much?)  :)

Bennett is thankful for book clubs.  He loves all of his book clubs!  (Friends Book Club with Will, Miles and Caden and school 'Book Club' with Ms. Clark)

Miles - "Well, I am not thankful for a paper cut, but I am thankful Dad came and ate lunch with me."

Annabelle - "I don't know."  OK, well can you think of someone who is kind to you?  "CADEN!  He is always so nice and he is my friend.  I am thankful for Caden."

Rocco is thankful for Lego guys.  He LOVES to take the heads off of the Lego guys.

Emma is thankful for Rocco making her laugh.  He is rubbing his head into her belly!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

November 7

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.  ~ Frank A. Clark

I am thankful for my home.  It is old.  It is worn.  It is loved.  I feel cozy and comfortable here with my family.  I am also thankful to have a home.

Christopher is thankful for his coworkers.  They are a great group.  Ted switched him so that he could go to the last Hawkeye game.

Harrison is thankful for books.  I just love reading new books!

Bennett is thankful for the Cubs.  And baseball.  I can't wait to play baseball.

Miles is thankful that Mrs. Leise, Sam and Miles got to read together.  They are reading 'With My Mom and Dad.'

Annabelle is thankful for flowers.  The trees look like big flowers with all their different colors!

Rocco is thankful for Chris teaching him how to 'honk' like a trucker.  Toot!  Toot!

Emma is thankful for her socks.  I have never met a baby who keeps her socks on better than Emma!

Thankfulness 2012

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Wednesday

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am thankful for an afternoon walk that turned into a leaf finding adventure.  I love fall.

Christopher is thankful for home improvement projects.

Harrison is thankful that his optical illusion art is done.

Bennett is thankful for Apple Cider Snicker-doodles. (I am also thankful for such a great sous chef!)

Miles is thankful that his dad dropped him off at school and picked him up from school.  "I love my dad."

Annabelle is thankful for tomato soup.


Rocco is thankful for Wednesdays.  Annabelle is home with us all day and he loves his Annabelle!

Emma is thankful for the toy piano.  She loves that toy right now!

Thankfulness 2012

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Election day

Men, their rights, and nothing more.  Women, their rights, and nothing less. ~ Susan B. Anthony  Don't forget to vote today!!!

I am thankful for the right to vote, the privilege to serve and my undying belief that there are people who want to do good in this world.  Be the good.  

Christopher is thankful that my boss has caffeine!

Harrison is thankful that is voting day because people deserve to help choose those who are making important decisions.

Bennett is thankful we had school.  I did lots of math.

Miles is thankful that it was Will's (classmate) birthday today.  "Happy Birthday, Will!"

Annabelle is thankful for Christmas.  "It is so soon and Santa comes!  YEAH!!"

Rocco is thankful that he can click his tongue.  Click, click, click, click, click.

Emma is thankful for under the chin tickles.  Her belly shakes like Santa when she laughs!

Thankfulness 2012


Monday, November 4, 2013

Day 4

When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. ~ Dalai Lama

I am thankful for apples and Cookie Butter.  I mean apples.  I am thankful for apples, not Cookie Butter.  Cookie Butter…  Mmmmmm.  Sigh...

Christopher is thankful for warm weather.  Brrrrrrrr.

Harrison is thankful that he is almost finished with his optical illusion art.

Bennett is thankful that "Mom read to me before school."

Miles is thankful for school.  "We had a special read-a-loud today and it was Thanksgiving with Fancy Nancy.  I liked it!"

Annabelle is thankful for Christmas music.  "It plays all DAY in Mommy's van.  Does it play in your van, Beth?"  I don't know, Annabelle…(turning the station to 106.3)... Why yes, it does!  "YEAH!!!  I LOVE Christmas music!"  Sigh…  "Hey!  You didn't ask me what I was thankful for yesterday!"  Oh, what were you thankful for yesterday, Annabelle?  "Snow.  I can't wait for snow!"  More sighs…

Rocco is thankful for food.  Either his parents didn't feed him this weekend or he is growing.  Chex Mix, crackers, banana, apples, chicken noodle soup and more chicken noodle soup, carrots… and milk!  More milk!

Emma is thankful for burp-cloths.  Sigh...

Thankfulness 2012

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Sunday

Character is a journey, not a destination. ~ President William J. Clinton

I am thankful for sarcasm and wit.  Today at lunch (I was not there), Bennett suddenly said "Wait for it.  Waaaaiiiit for it." and then he belched.  And belched again and said "Ahhhh, that was the one I was looking for."  While recounting the story for me at dinner (I could have lived without knowing this story) Harrison listened to Christopher and Bennett laugh and tell the story and then said "They just grow up so fast these days, don't they."  My children are wonderful, rude, funny, caring, silly, remarkable boys.  I am thankful they are mine.

Christopher is thankful for his wife's painting skills.

Harrison is thankful that he found a Lego piece that he has been looking for for three days.

Bennett is thankful that he got to play outside with Travis and Austin.


Thankfulness 2012

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November 2

We were together.  I forgot the rest. ~ Walt Whitman


Beth - I am thankful for my new candles.  I generally have a small hatred of smelly candles.  I can never find one that I like after about 3 minutes of burning.  I finally found one that I absolutely love and that makes me smile.

Christopher - I am thankful for safe travels to and from Iowa City today.

Harrison - I am thankful that I got to see Noah and Eleanor.

Bennett - I am thankful that I got to see Noah and Eleanor and everyone else.

Thankfulness 2012


Friday, November 1, 2013

Thankful Season 2013

The Thanksgiving season is one of my favorites.  The holiday doesn't celebrate a religion and it's main focus is to bring families together.  I LOVE family get togethers.  (For now we won't get into a discussion about my problems with this holiday, i.e. the untruths of the holiday's origins, and just celebrate the modern version!)

These are really terribly tough times, and we really should try to be as nice to each other as possible.  ~ Lou Reed (March 2, 1942 - October 27, 2013)

Me:  I am thankful for my chap-stick.  Cause my lips hurt real bad and I don't want to use the 5 sticks in the nurses drawer.  Thanks for the hook-up, Chris!

Christopher:  I am thankful for my family.

Harrison:  I am thankful that our lunch teacher let us have free seating.

Bennett:  I am thankful that Mrs. Mathews got me books that I like from the library.

Miles:  I am thankful for baseball.

Annabelle:  I am thankful for Mommy.

Rocco: I am thankful for trucks.  Vrrooooom!!!!!!

Emma:  I am thankful for my daddy.  He was gone for too many days!

Thankfulness 2012

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Fall

Fall is most definitely in the air.  I made soup this weekend, leaves are piling up and we are in jeans, sweatshirts and flip-flops.  I love the changing seasons.

Bennett has been asking to go to the Sculpture Garden for a week or so and I told him we would go last Friday, but Harrison, Annabelle and Rocco were all sick.  I ended up taking Harrison to the doctor (he tested positive for strep) so I took AB and Roc upstairs to their doctor and they both tested positive as well!  It was a long afternoon.  Harrison was fading fast as his temp was climbing and Rocco had had enough!  Poor babies.

So, the Sculpture Garden was put off to today.  Emma was home with a cold and Annabelle had her 4 year old appointment, so it was just me and the boys after school.  We really had a blast.  The weather was perfect and the kids just ran and climbed (walls only!) and rolled down hills.  Parenting and co-parenting can be very hard, but really, there is nothing better than watching them be happy.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Interview with an 8 year, 4 month old

I haven't done a great job at keeping up the blog.  This has been mentioned to me on several occasions...  I wanted to do this on Harrison's birthday.  It didn't happen.  

Harrison is sometimes indescribable.  He is kind, sweet, smart, stubborn, and loved by all those that know him.  He is wonderful.  He is also a challenge because his mind works so fast.  Do NOT argue with him unless you want to lose.  Be straight, forward and use 'Never-less...' a lot.  :)


What is your favorite color?   Green

What is your favorite toy?  My bike

What is your favorite fruit?  Lemons

What is your favorite vegetable?  Asparagus

What is your favorite tv show?   Jessie

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Bagels

What is your favorite thing to wear?  My hat

What is your favorite game?  Blokus

What is your favorite snack? Clementines

What is your least favorite thing to eat?  I like so many things...  Ummmm... I don't like to eat ants!

What is your favorite animal?  Wolf

What is your favorite song?  Tattooed Lady by the Kingston Trio

What is your favorite book?  Harry Potter

What is your favorite candy?  Warheads

Who is your best friend?  Connor

What is your favorite cereal?  Raisin Bran

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Look for rocks and things that stand out and are cool

What is your favorite drink?  Root Beer

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas cause it is close to my birthday

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Books

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake from Starbucks

What do your want for dinner on your birthday?  Ohana's

What do you and Mom do together?  Read together

What do you and Dad do together?  Go out and work in the yard

What is your favorite sport?  Soccer

Where is your favorite place to go?  Yellowstone

What makes you happy?  Shrimp and my hat

What makes you sad?  Forgetting my hat at home

What are you really good at doing?  playing soccer

What is your favorite movie?  Harry Potter series

What do you want to be when you grow up?  I want to be a professional soccer player

I love all of his eclectic answers.  He is one of a kind!

Interview with a 6 year old


Bennett woke up on his birthday, came into the bathroom, where I was showering, pulled back the shower curtain and said "I'm six!"  It was adorable.  Ryan and Kaylee were in Bennett's bedroom and they heard him say it as well.  He was so innocent and honest in his excitement.  I love that about him; he is very honest with emotion.  He can still be very shy when around others, but when he is comfortable in his surroundings, he lets it all hang out!

Last year I did a questionnaire with Bennett when he turned 5 and I wanted to repeat that with him this year.  Wonder what will change?!?!

What is your favorite color?   Blue

What is your favorite toy?  My bike

What is your favorite fruit?  Apples

What is your favorite vegetable?  Beets

What is your favorite tv show?   Johnny Test

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Beets

What is your favorite thing to wear?  Shorts

What is your favorite game?  Sorry

What is your favorite snack?  Cookies

What is your least favorite thing to eat?  Avocado

What is your favorite animal?  Dolphin

What is your favorite song?  Anything by The Beatles

What is your favorite book?  Go Dog Go

What is your favorite candy? Chocolate Bar

Who is your best friend?  Caden

What is your favorite cereal?  Lucky Charms

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride my bike

What is your favorite drink?  Lemonade

What is your favorite holiday?  Easter

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Douglas

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Lucky Charms

What do your want for dinner on your birthday?  Chinese

What do you and Mom do together?  We hug and kiss each other

What do you and Dad do together?  We go on bike rides

What is your favorite sport?  Tennis

Where is your favorite place to go?  Toys R Us

What makes you happy?  Someone kissing me

What makes you sad?  When my watch broke

What are you really good at doing?  Bike riding

What is your favorite movie?  Cars 2

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A bike rider

This was wonderful.  He is a gem!  Here is last years ~ Interview with a 5 year old

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Dramatics

Bennett is going through a bit of a trial and error stage when is comes to managing his emotions.  When he is upset we get to glimpse the dramatic side of our 5 year old.  Recently he was told he couldn't wear his clothes to bed.  This is the reaction I got.
I am mad at mom

Most times he crosses his arms and makes a ha-rummmph sound.  It is completely adorable.  Last night we were at the dinner table when he said to me "You crumbled my heart."  I managed to keep a straight face and not scoop him into my arms while I asked why.  He explained that I hadn't let him eat in his room.  

I love making my kids happy, but this dramatic, angry/sad stage has it's perks.