Thankful

We had a nice Thanksgiving at John and Florence's today.  We celebrated both Christmas and Thanksgiving.  By the time we got home, the kids were sleepy and ready for bed.  As I was tucking Blake in, I gave him a hug and kiss and told him to remember to say his prayers and to thank God for all the things he is thankful for.  His response, "That will take awhile, momma."  Such a sweetheart he is!!

From the mouth of my babes....

Tom picked Blake up from catechism the other day and his teacher stopped him and told him that she needed to talk to him about Blake.  Of course, Tom was thinking, "uh-oh...what has he done?"  Here's how the story went:

Mrs. H was teaching the class about some saints and how some of them were from Peru.  She asked the class if anyone knew where Peru is?  Blake raises his hand and she calls on him.

"I know about Peru!!!  They played Michigan State last week!!!" says my son who is apparently watching way too much sports lately!

***

The other night Tom, Cora and I were out for dinner at the Stone Lodge (Blake was at a friend's house).  We were starting to get a bit impatient waiting for our food, so as we sometimes do, we try to figure out who's order takes the longest to cook.  Cora was quick with the solution this time, "I know it's your's momma.  You ordered the Cowboy burger...so now the cook has to go WAY out to the wild, wild west, find a cowboy, bring him back, and cook him up." (all while rolling her eyes) :-)

12x5 = 60....don't you know mom?

These children continue to amaze me!  The other day, we were in the car and out of the blue, Blake says to me, "Mom...did you know if you add 12 five times, you get 60?" 

I paused, a little surprised and said, "Yes...12x5 = 60.  I know that, but how did you figure it out?" 

He replied, "The other night when I was going to bed, I was just laying there and doing some math in my head.  I thought...If you add 12+12, you get 24.  And if you add 12 more, then you get 36, and then 48 and then 60.  It's easy, Mom."

Needless to say, I was impressed.  I replied, "Blake...do you know who else does math in their head when they go to bed?"

"No, who?" he said.

"Your father.  He will look at the clock and pick a number and do all kinds of different math problems in his head."

True Story.

I told him I was very impressed that he figured this all out as a 6 year old.  He replies with, "Well, technically I'm almost a 7 year old, mom."

I told him, "Well, even for a 7 year old, that's very impressive.  Keep up the good work, buddy!"

Summer is finally here!

It was a coldy snowy winter and a very wet spring.  Now that we are almost through the month of June, I'd say it's finally safe to say that Summer is Here!!!  Since it's been a while since I've posted, I've got to back track a bit.

In May, Tom and I took a long weekend trip to Niagara Falls (Canada) with Rob and Jessie.  We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves.  

Tom took on coaching Blake's 8U baseball team this year.  The season ended just a couple days ago and it was bittersweet.  I helped him out and we both really enjoyed the kids.  It was cool to see them improve so much from the first game through the last.  We had some really good kids on our team and I'd say it's a good possiibility that we will do it again next year!

Cora is playing Tball for the first time.  She is having fun with it, thankfully it's a short season as the games can be a little long!!  I think it's more of a social event than anything, as she is on the same team as Brennen Hooper, Brooklyn Wendling and Ava Kolar.

The kids finished up a few sessions of swim lessons this spring.  What an amazing improvement they've made!!  Blake can swim the entire length of the pool with no help and no life jacket.   He can also go down the slide and jump off the diving board with no life jacket.  Cora can also swim a short distance in the deep end!!  Their improvement from last summer is just remarkable!!  We went swimming over at Aunt Peggy's a few weeks ago and it was so nice to see them both jump right in with no fear and just have a blast, with me not having to worry about them!

Cora graduated from the 3 year old Peace Lutheran Pre-School on June 3rd.  She will start the 4 year old program in the fall.  It's hard to believe she is growing up this fast!  She seemed to do very well in pre-school and really enjoyed it.

Blake's last day of 1st grade was June 17th.  They had about 10 snow days they had to make up so they were in school much longer than normal.  He will start 2nd grade next year.  He did very well with his "grades."  They don't get letter grades, just numbers 1-4.  Blake got all 3's and 4's (meets and exceeds standards).  He is also an exceptional reader which makes me so happy!  At the beginning of the school year he was a Level 18 which is the highest level a first grader can be.  His teacher said that with most kids they try to get them to a 16-18 by the end of the school year.  Needless to say, we are very proud of him!

Tom and I have been trying to get out golfing when we can.  I'm playing on the ladie's league again this year with Amy Trepkowski.  Tom is a sub for the men's league and is enjoying getting out a little more often.

It's hard to believe we have been in our houes for almost a year already!  I have no regrets and am so happy that we made the move.  With ball being over for the year (Cora's last game is today), swim lessons being done and school being out, we are thinking things should slow down a little bit.....but that never seems to be the case with summertime.  We actually don't have too busy of a summer planned....a couple graduation parties and just a camping trip or two.  

That Crazy Cora!

Cora has been cracking us up lately.  What a hoot she is!!! 

Last week, we were getting the kids ready for bed.  I was tucking Cora in and reading her a bed time story, and Tom was doing the same with Blake.  I finished with Cora and left the room.  Tom went in Cora's room to give her a hug and kiss and to tell her good night.  Well he walked in the room, and there's Cora, laying in her bed, she puts her arms out wide and says, "Come here big guy!"

A couple weeks ago, per a friend's recommendation, we went to the Applegate Bar for pizza.  We took the kids and dined in, which was nice because we were the only customers in the bar.  The kids had fun playing pool and the stuffed animal/claw/rip-off game. ;-)  Anyway, we had a great time and the pizza was fabulous.  I think we might become "regulars"!!

The another night at dinner, we were talking about all kinds of things and the conversation got to the topic of rings.  Cora looked at my hands and asked me if the only rings daddy had ever given me were the two on my hand.  I told her that I have one other one, but since it's a pearl ring, I only wear it for special occasions.  Without skipping a beat, Cora says, "Oh, like when we go to the Applegate Bar?"

Then...the other morning, Cora comes in our room to wake us up and says with a hoarse voice, "Momma, my voice is a little rusty this morning."  She is just toooo cute!!!

Blake is still doing a great job in school.  He came home yesterday and proudly told us that he was the only person in his whole class that got 100% on his math test!!  He has also been acing nearly every spelling test he has taken this year.  We are so proud of this young man!

Nose picker

I've got to share this one before I forget about it!  The other night I was cuddling with Cora on the couch when she gets up and says, "I have to go to my room for something."  She walks away and returns less than a minute later.  She is watching me and has a look of 100% guilt on her face.  I said, "what did you do Cora?"  Her response without skipping a beat, "Sorry momma, I had to pick my nose."  Too funny!!!!

Another snow day today after the school releasing the kids at noon yesterday.  Probably another one tomorrow since it's supposed to be -20 windchill :-(. It's time for the kids to get back to their routine!

Snow days #9 & 10

Another snow day today...#9 and we were notified before 3 pm today that there is no school again tomorrow.  Although I am saying snow day, it's actually because of the low temperatures.  I think the high tomorrow is 5 and with all the windchills, I think the low is like -30.  Crazy!!  

So this morning Blake gets up and asks if he has school (that's how common snow days are).  Tom told him that he did.  Blake's respons - "Awesome!  Not that I don't want to go to school, Dad, but if we keep having snow days, I'll get to celebrate my birthday at school!!!!!"  

Today was our big day - we signed papers and the old house is officially sold!!  What a huge relief this is!!!  So very thankful!!!! :-)