Tuesday, December 27, 2016

2016 in Review: October-December

October: 

Anna finished her fall soccer season in the middle of the month and did a fantastic job as goalie.  She can't wait for spring soccer to start again! 

Our Mondays were pretty crazy with piano lessons, group lessons, soccer practice, and the occasional odd activity, plus working in time to take care of a puppy.  We basically ran all day long and collapsed into bed at night!  Soccer ending helped loosen up the schedule a little. 

The boys took on a week-long job helping to clean up a pet clinic at night.  A friend of ours and her daughter do the job normally but were heading on vacation.  Her husband took over but wanted a helper, so the boys split the responsibility.  They loved helping out and did a great job (and earned a paycheck!)

We had a visit from my parents early in the month and went to Jelli's Market to do the fall activities and pick out pumpkins.  We had a ton of fun driving around the countryside and enjoying the fall weather.

Matt competed in a Mario Kart competition at the library and one.  Playing video games does pay off!

Ben and I enjoyed following the Cubs this year and had a lot of fun cheering them on during the playoffs.  We bought a subscription to MLB-TV at the end of the season, but were disappointed to find out we couldn't watch playoff games live.  However, we were able to listen live and it was a neat experience.  It didn't dampen our enthusiasm one bit and we were able to watch the games the following day.

Rob surprised us with a trip to Mt. Olympus the weekend before my birthday.  He had earned a bonus at work in September and saved the money back for a fun weekend of water slides, rides, and roller coasters.  We even got to watch one of the World Series games from the hotel.  I love that he gave me roller coaster rides for my birthday :)  We made it home in time to go Trick or Treating that evening, then rested the following day.

November:

Ben and Anna played in two piano recitals this month.  The first recital was on the first and was their individual pieces.  They did a terrific job, especially since they chose an earlier recital and did not have as many lessons as normal before the performance.  At the end of the month their piano groups performed in a group recital.  Most of the pieces were Christmas music and was a nice entrance to the season.

Matt attended a paint night at the library and enjoyed painting a picture with a group of teens.  He also attended a youth group activity mid-month and enjoyed playing Underground Church.

We had planned to travel to Illinois for Thanksgiving, but hit a snag when my health did not seem to be improving.  I have major sensory issues when I am indoors in smaller areas (house-sized) with large groups of people and traveling in general is painful for me, so we made a tough decision.  I stayed home and the family visited without me.  I kind of anticipated moping around for three days until they came back, but instead I had a very peaceful time alone.  I spent much of my time resting and recovering, but also stamped Christmas cards, watching the new Gilmore Girls episodes, stamped with another friend who stayed home, talked to the guinea pigs, and had a wonderful time.  The kids and Rob enjoyed two separate family gatherings, helped put up Christmas decorations, and Anna went to see the new Disney princess movie with her cousin, aunt, and grandma.  It was good to all be together again.

December: 

The kids and I kicked school into high gear so we could get to our 17th week before Christmas break.  Matt finished a research paper (the first he has ever actually completed) and did a great job.

All five of us came down with a head cold, Anna the worst.  She ended up with an eye infection and had to take her theory test from home.

Ben and Anna finished their lessons and classes for the semester in piano.  They were also in our church Sunday School program.  Matt was happy to have aged-out of the program and enjoyed being in the audience.

Matt and Ben were hired by our landlord to shovel snow this year.  Matt shovels at his house, Ben shovels around ours.  Ben is happy to finally have a paying job!

Rob had the final week of December off and we all enjoyed Christmas together.  I will put our Christmas festivities into a separate post.


Monday, December 26, 2016

2016 Review: July-September

March addition:

I completely forgot about one of the biggest changes in March:  Anna got a guinea pig.  She wanted one for her birthday but we were going to take our time and find one from a rescue.  While the boys were at their camp retreat, Rob and I took Anna to Janesville to shop for an Easter dress.  We popped into a pet store and she fell in love with a little piggie that had just been put up for sale that day.  We bought all of the supplies and came home with Princess.  She's very different from Matt's guinea pig Rocky, as she is far more active and squeaky, but we all enjoy having her around. 

July:

We started off the month having Rob home for a week.  We had planned activities each day, but the week kind of fell apart as it progressed.  On the 4th we decided to skip the parade and head to Harnischfeger Park to hike, play mini golf, have a picnic, and paddle on the river.  We did hike until the mosquitoes drove us batty, our picnic was delicious, mini golf was a hoot (and cheap--$5 for the entire family!) but the paddle boats were beached due to low water level in the river.  On Tuesday of that week Anna got her cast off, so we kept things low key.  Wednesday we watched Ben play a baseball game.  He was supposed to play a double-header, but one of the games was moved.  We also drove to Theresa, Wisconsin to visit a cheese making factory and a candy shop.  The candy shop was AMAZING and we gave each kid $5 to spend.  They came home with piles of candy!  On Thursday Rob and Anna went out for a little date:  dinner and dress shopping.  The boys and I were going to head to Little Amerrika, a local amusement park, but I was sick in the night.  Plus Matt had compressed his back at the park on Monday.  We kicked around different ideas but ended up playing video games at home so two of us could heal. 

The kids and I went to see The Secret Life of Pets the following week and had a ball.  We were joined by two friends of ours and enjoyed the movie together. 

We made a trip to Illinois mid-month to celebrate Kenzie Hawker's birthday.  She had a sleepover for her girl cousins that were around her age and my sister and I had a ball taking the little princesses all over town.  The next day I helped with party prep and we spent most of the day celebrating.  It was pretty tiring, but a ton of fun.

Part of the fun at Kenzie's party was Anna getting her ears pierced.  It didn't go quite according to plan, as the gun was stuck on part of her ear.  That ear ended up getting infected three weeks later, necessitating a trip to the ER and antibiotics.  It's doing better now, thankfully!  She loves feeling all grown up.

Ben's baseball team ended their season on Matt's birthday by winning their division, putting them in the top seat going into the tournament the following day.  They won their first tournament game, but lost the final game.  Ben was the last kid to bat, bases loaded, two outs and he struck out.  He was disappointed in himself, but I told him the game wasn't lost in that final moment--it was lost when his team played terribly two innings prior.  He did have a great team and fantastic coaches this year, so the season still ended on a high note.

Matt turned 12 this month and had a nice day building Lego sets and eating treats.  I can't believe he'll be a teenager next year!!

On the 21st, a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she had two tickets to a Cubs vs Brewers game that she couldn't use and did anyone want them?  I quickly checked my schedule and went for the tickets!  It was am amazing experience to take Ben to his very first major league game, especially with his favorite team playing.  There were more Cubs fans than Brewers fans that night so we were in good company.  He was in awe the entire time!  It was free t-shirt night and he got free baseball cards so we didn't even spend money on momentos.  (In fact, the only things had to pay for was parking!)  The Cubs won, making it an even sweeter memory. 

Ben and Anna attended VBS at another church in town during the last week of July and enjoyed themselves.  Matt and I enjoyed spending time together. 

On the 30th, my side of the family had our annual picnic.  This year it was at a park in the Chicago area.  The kids had fun running around in a splash park and playing with cousins for several hours.

The next day was Rob's company picnic.  This year they decided to hold it at a hunting club.  There was a salon there for massages, facials, and manicures, which Anna and I did.  The guys went shooting and had fun.  Overall, however, it was just hot and not really a whole lot of fun.  We were pretty happy to leave and get home.

August:

We started the month with VBS at our church.  It was a sports camp theme for the second year in a row.  Ben was in the basketball group and Anna learned to play volleyball.  They both enjoyed it.  I helped with cookies this year.  The  youth group usually does a week in August called Teen Epic Battle and this year they ran it at the same time as VBS.  Matt enjoyed all of it, especially water night. 

In August every year I attend a weekly scrapbook class.  This year was even easier than normal because Matt was able to babysit.  Having a babysitter at home has been very freeing for Rob and I and it helps that Matt does a great job. 

We made a final trip to Illinois during our anniversary weekend.  It was a quick trip, but we wanted to get there one more time before soccer season started again.

We had our first day of school on the 22nd.  We usually start school right after the pool closes for the summer.  The kids weren't too terribly thrilled, but they soon settled into their routine.

September: 

Matt started a new "gig" as a worker in the nursery for our monthly mom's group.  He is trying to get his name out there as a babysitter and we thought being in the nursery would be a good experience for him.  He really enjoys working with the little kids each month (but not so much on the same day he cares for the puppy--it's a little exhausting!)

Anna started soccer again, this year playing on a larger field.  She plays goalie and LOVES it.  She's very aggressive and keeps begging for goalie gloves.

We had a chance to visit with some foster puppies a few times this month.  They were so tiny and like watching walking tummies :)  And we managed to leave them all there and not bring any home.

Ben and Anna started piano lessons again and this year joined group lessons on top of private lessons and theory class.  It's all included in tuition, so why not?  They really enjoy making music.

Matt went to Farmtastic in the middle of the month and enjoyed romping around playing games all day.

I attempted to take a yoga class but my second session left me in pain for several days.  The change to fall weather was not kind to my body and my health began taking a turn for the worse.

We had a visit from Rob's parents this month for one special reason:  Intense sewing lessons for Anna!  Grandma gave her a sewing machine for an early Christmas present and lessons on how to use it.  Anna is a natural at sewing and has been busy all fall making loads of projects.


Friday, December 23, 2016

2106 Review: April-June

April: 

The kids finished up their semester of piano lessons around mid-month.  All three passed their theory exams, although Ben's teacher recommended he repeat Theory 3 just to get a little more solid foundation.  All three performed in a piano recital on the 18th and did a great job.  Matt was really nervous, but he enjoyed his first (and probably only) public performance on the piano.  Ben played an original piece and did a fantastic job.  He loves composing. 

Anna had a busy month of piano and soccer practices and games.  She was a little more hesitant this round, but warmed up toward the end of the season.

Matt got a new job puppy sitting.  A friend of ours got a Golden Retriever puppy named Gracie and he and I went over three times a day to let her out and play with her while her owner worked.  It was a challenge while she was being house-broken, but Matt fell in love with her and was very patient.  He did decide that he will just stick with a guinea pig, as a full-time puppy would be too much work. 

I had a couple of friends from Arizona fly out for a work-visit.  They were helping a group of us on Isagenix learn how to grow our business.  We had a great time showing them around Wisconsin and thankfully the weather was nice for them. 

Rob got a little jealous of all the attention Matt and Anna received when they broke bones that he decided to join the "fun."  At the end of April, Rob smashed his thumb at work and broke it.  Because it was on the job, everything was covered under workman's comp and he still went to work and completed some classes.  He spent most of the next month in a cast.

May:

Ben continued to take piano lessons through May, but he kind of wishes he wouldn't have gone for the extra semester.  Baseball started and that took more of his attention.  He played in an older league with games on Wednesday nights.  That got a little hairy, as Matt was starting youth group and didn't want to miss it.  I'm the one who does all of the running around in the evenings with the kids since Rob is working, so the logistics of getting kids here and there can be challenging.  But, we have some good friends who picked up Matt and Anna for church so they wouldn't miss anything.  There were a few weeks after Truth Trackers ended and before youth group started where the kids were mainly in the service, so they just came to games with Ben and I. Ben appreciated his siblings watching him during a few games.  He mainly played catcher and right field this year.

Matt took a Babysitter Course in May and is now an American Red Cross certified sitter.  The only job he has had so far is watching his siblings, but he's getting the word out and working with kids at church so hopefully he will have some real jobs soon.  He also took his guinea pig, Rocky, to church to visit with the 4s and 5s.  Rocky was a good boy and the kids enjoyed feeding him parsley.

Rob continued to heal from his break and had multiple ortho appointments.  He wasn't able to drive very far so we had to cancel our Memorial Day trip to Illinois.  We tested out his driving by heading to Sassy Cow creamery for a farm tour (which was a total bust--but the ice cream was good!)  It was too far and that was only 45 minutes!

June: 

A couple of movies came out this month so the kids and I headed to our local $4 theater to see Alice Through the Looking Glass and Finding Dory.  We enjoyed both of them.  We're so thankful to have an inexpensive theater in town.

On the 7th, Anna decided to join her daddy in a cast and she broke her elbow on the monkey bars.  She and I just stared at each other in the ER and couldn't believe she did it AGAIN.  This time she didn't have to have surgery and opted for a purple cast.  The kids had worked hard on a reading program to earn free tickets to Great America and we had to cancel our trip because she would still be in the cast when we planned to go.  In fact, we were never able to use the tickets all summer, which was a huge disappointment for all of us.  We're hoping to get there next summer. 

The boys spent a lot of time at the pool using our family pass while Anna and I found activities at home.  A few times we picked up her friend Delaney and they girls played while the boys were gone.  That helped distract Anna considerably. 

Matt had a great time at one of his favorite teen activities at the library:  teen mini-golf.  He had quite a bit more fun this year because he was not being wheeled around in a chair.  He was also able to work the annual library teen fundraiser at a local brat house.  He really enjoyed working in the kitchen part and helping customers.

I spent a good amount of my time running two different people to ortho appointments, Ben to baseball activities, and the boys to the pool. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

2016 in Review: January-March

My gift to the family this year is an updated blog.  I got out of the habit of typing when my hands hurt constantly, but since that pain is over I really should get back to it.  You can't tell the whole story for anything in a Facebook post or text, so a blog is the next best thing.  I suppose I could call, but I don't enjoy talking over the phone either, so this will have to do!

January:

We started off the year with our usual New Year's Eve party and realized that it might be our last one for a long time.  The youth group always does a New Year's all-nighter and since Matt would start youth group in May, that kind of ends our celebration for awhile.  And that's okay, because life moves on, right?

The kids started their second semester of piano lessons at Maranatha's Music Prep School.  Matt decided to try a semester of lessons just to see how he liked it.  The final verdict was that he did enjoy it, but he'd rather just have fun on the piano on his own.  I'm just glad he decided to give it a go! 

Rob celebrated his 38th birthday with a low-key celebration at home.  He's not really a party animal at all :)  He was also working third shift to cover fork lift while they hired a new person, so he was pretty tired.

The biggest thing that happened in January was my trip to Universal Studios with my bestie.  We found out the prior November that I still had an airplane ticket to use and they originally told me this info with only two weeks left to use it.  I actually considering a one-day trip to see Graceland on the only day during those two weeks I could do anything, but instead my friend went to bat for me and got them to extend it to the following March.  We kicked around a bunch of ideas and settled on seeing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal.  We spend three days running all over both parks and had a marvelous time.  It was wonderful to be in warm Florida for a few days, even if it was overcast and rainy most of the time.  I had a layover both ways in Philadelphia, which was a little stressful but ended up being kind of fun.  And I bought a sweatshirt, which I wasn't able to do when I went on a study tour of Philly back in college. 

February:

More of the same this month, with school and piano lessons, but we did use some free tickets we had for the Country Springs Water Park.  It was so fun to hit the waterslides during winter.  Rob and I even braved the outdoor hot tub for a bit.  At first it wasn't too bad, then about five minutes later we headed back inside.  We're brave, but not that brave! 

March:

We celebrated Ben's 10th birthday with a quiet day at home.  The kids and I went to see Zootopia that night and Ben got a free box of candy because it was his birthday.  Now they ALL want to go to the movies on their birthdays! 

Ben and Matt went to Camp Joy for a winter retreat.  Unfortunately, there wasn't any snow so they didn't get to do any of the fun winter activities.  They did play quite a bit of laser tag, so it wasn't a total loss.  Ben really enjoyed his first camp retreat away from home. 

Anna's 8th birthday was another fun, quiet day at home too.  I'm so grateful the kids don't expect huge amounts of hoopla on their special days!  Presents, special meals, and cake is enough. 

We attended the Walk Through Jerusalem at church on Good Friday, which we all enjoy.  Easter Sunday was a nice day as well, and I even sang with my group at church. 

After Easter, Anna started practicing for soccer again.  Always a little cold and frozen when soccer starts in March, but she loves it!