Extra-Curric Activities #4

Nicholas really likes soccer! He almost loves it more than gymnastics! He seems to be playing on a team where he is the oldest and while everyone else is picking their noses or watching the airplanes fly over, Nick is chasing that ball and putting it in the net - time after time after time.

His games are always on Friday night at 6pm over at Red Mountain Soccer Complex. They chose the name the Red Bombers because their uniforms are nice and red!

Each game someone has to sit out for one quarter. Last week, Nick played the first two quarters and scored the 7 points which put their team way ahead. He was pulled the 3rd quarter to take his turn to sit out. During that quarter the opposing team scored 8+ goals... AUGH! (I think Nick felt like one of the Supers - "...I just cleaned up this mess and could it STAY cleaned up just for ONCE...") He got back in the last quarter and made a few goals which he was happy about. As for the final score, no one really keeps track! :)

Pets - Day 2

We've been proud fish owners now for two days (almost 3) and we've only had three casualties! Four remain! And there is still quite the excitement in the air - EVERYONE loves the fish! The ones that died were the smallest and after the first death occurred that first morning, Chris replied, "Mom, he was pushed!" So there you have it!

Proposition 107 - YES

I just got done making a bunch of phone calls. I have volunteered on behalf of Protect Marriage AZ to tell the public how crucial our "YES" vote is for this proposition.

As I was leaving a message on someone's machine it really "hit home" on how screwed up our society is. When someone needs to be told that we want to define marriage as being between one man and one woman... do you think we need to worry? It's really sad! It actually makes me cry. (That's why the people will listen to me... sobbing woman on the phone... tactics, it's all tactics.)

I have spoken with several people that give me hope though. I am one to immediately hang-up on those callers who call with their "script" but I have really tried to be personable and nice so people would NOT hang-up on me. So, all you AZ Voters, please vote yes on Proposition 107.

Pets, Pets and More Pets

We have gone from a no pets family to a family with seven pets! Can you believe it! Can you? Can you? I can not! That's what Scouting will do to you!

Now, most den meetings are famous for their annual Rain Gutter Regatta. This is where each Scout floats a hand-crafted boat down a gutter, trying to beat his opponent. Great Fun! Our Cub Master decided to float goldfish down the gutters. Hence, we have the Goldfish Regatta! :) Each Scout was given a "prodder" otherwise known as a straw. With the straw they were to blow bubbles to scare the poor little fish down the gutter... and across the finish line (spray painted in orange)! IT WAS A HIT!

BUT, what to do with the fish at the end of the meeting... each lucky Scout and their family are now PROUD owners of one (or more in some cases) fish! And of course the siblings all want them... more fish... do you get the picture here. And of course Mom is one of the leaders and her family stays to clean up after the activity... MORE FISH! Fun, fun, fun!

Since we don't have a cat (see previous blog on Thomas Tidbits) we were not able to donate our fish as some families are doing. And with Proposition 204 (I believe) we dare not do it (animal activists)! So, until morning they are in the giant pickle jar and I have FIVE HAPPY CHILDREN sleeping in their beds waiting anxiously to feed them in the morning. Off to Wal-Mart to get some fish food... ta ta!

Extra-Curric Activities #3

Benjamin is in his third year of soccer (one in Ladera and two in Mesa). Ben has the speed of a cheetah but the timidity of a rabbit. He is so so sincere and just wants everyone around him to have the chance to kick the ball. When he does take a kick, he can send it flying. He's actually more comfortable playing defense. Or, he'll tell you he likes defense better than offense. Ben is just a good team player!

His games are on Saturday's at various times in the day. Practice is held once a week. We started the season in late Augusut and it runs till mid December (that's almost Christmastime). WHAT WERE WE THINKING... we tend to agree with Eldon and his past posts.

Extra-Curric Activites #2

Nicholas began doing gymnastics when we first arrived in AZ. (He was about 4.) That was almost 2 years ago. He started by going to a park & rec class offered at USA Gymnastics. We joined the class to get to know people and for something to do. Chris and Emma were too young at the time and they just watched and ran around.

After an 8-week class they asked if we wanted to continue... of course that meant paying the USA price but receiving much more extensive training. Since he enjoyed it so much, we agreed and also signed Chris up because there was a significant sibling saving.

Nick continues to amaze the coaches and us all. He loves gymnastics. He's not one to sit around either. If he's watching TV, he'll be on the side doing sit-ups as he watches. If he's looking at a book, he'll be doing push-ups next to the book. He loves exercise! (If only I could say that!) His little body just knocks out push-up after sit-up after hand-stand after after after.


The other day after Sunday church we were walking down the hallway out to the car... what did he do? A cartwheel. He's getting good too! And then the other night out on the soccer field while the coach was explaining where to go and what to do, Nick was doing handstands.

Somehow when soccer season rolled in, Nick asked if he could play that sport too. Not thinking, we signed him up. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the activites we have going this year... each son was only suppose to choose one sport. He slipped through with two! :) But he sure is doing his all!

New York

Glenn just got back this week from NY. It was a quick 3-day trip for work. He saw many of the wonderful sites of the city: Ground Zero, Grand Central Station, Radio City Music Hall, the Chrysler Building. When he got home we reminisced about our Chicago days. There's just a special something about the BIG city.

BUT, then I think of the climate. I remember picking Glenn up from the train station that cold, dark, blustery night in February. It was his last day at Arthur Andersen. He got into the Honda and stated as he shook and shivered, "We are NEVER EVER living here again!" He continued to say, "It is just too damn cold here!"

I remember Mom Thomas coming to stay with us when Ben was born IN DECEMBER - yes, she really does love us! I don't think she even had a coat (well, a real winter coat I mean). Each and every visit she made in the winter-time (and she came quite a bit) she always said, "When are you kids getting out of here?!?!" (I never quite understood that comment. Growing up in NE was like living in the Chicago climate. I never realized what CA and AZ had to offer. Now I'm spoiled!)

Well, anyway, with so many activities going on at home while Glenn was gone, he was dearly missed. I never realize how much I depend on him, till he's gone! It's hard getting all the boys to either swim club, soccer, Scouts, gymnastics or piano when I don't have an extra driver around. And poor Emma Lee missed her naps most of the days - and a girl without sleep is not a pretty site!

Extra-Curric Activities #1

With the 2006-07 school year back in session, along come all those extra-curric. activities. I want to post something about each child... so I'll start with Zachary tonight.

Zachary joined DTAC a few months back. DTAC is a swim club here in Mesa. All you Mesa-ites probably know more about it... Zach sure likes it. They practice 4x a week during the winter months and have meets once a month. With his hip condition, Zach's practicing twice a week. He will hopefully work up to 4x. (His hip is actually doing well and the dr. has cleared him for all activities, except tramps & football... that's okay with me!) He enjoys swimming all strokes, but thinks he's best at freestyle. I think his backstroke is incredible! Look at that hand positioning (thumb out, pinky in)!

He swam his first meet last week. Now, we're just getting out of the 105+ degree weather, and the day of the meet - it's rainy and cold (occassional sunbursts). It was not the most pleasantess-weather, but there was no complaining. He did his best. He's not the quickest yet, but he has wonderful form and makes it look so so easy. Go Zachary!

Class Of 2015

SHOULD WE WORRY!?!? No Way!! The future of MVH looks bright! During October Break we had a few of the boys in the neighborhood over for pizza, movie, video games, etc. etc. etc. Ten of the 14 boys made it, plus 5 of our own. Emma thought it was real cool to go around and poke them all as they watched the movie! Oh Boy! The truck ride home was definitely a BIG HIT!

Ride On

Garrett & Christopher had a BLAST riding bikes and scooters this past weekend. It was wonderful to have cooler temps too! Emma and Ryan had fun on the neighbor's merry-go-round. Keep those quarters comin' guys!

Staple

So many of you out there feed your children PBJ sandwiches... well, I don't. That would kill some of my boys. I, on the other hand, feed my kids grilled-cheese sandwiches. Apparently it has been quite often. (I haven't noticed, but some are commenting. I do like them myself.)

Tonight, after General Conference, and for a quick & easy supper/dinner, I announced, "Get to the counter for a grilled-cheese sandwich." (Comments were made by the young & old.) I went to the pantry and thought "how could I enhance this meal?" What sides could I offer with a scrumptious cheese sandwich? I found two boxes of Near East Couscous (chicken & herb flavor). Knowing how much Glenn likes couscous, I decided to cook it up. (I AM a good wife!)

I received a few positive comments about the new meal and all began chowing down the food. After a few bites, Glenn starts digging through the trash looking for the boxes. I gave him the "odd" look. Then after examination, he announces, "Did you see the date on this stuff?!" "Why?" I asked. "2003!" he literally shouts!

Big Oops - Yes, we have been carrying this stuff around with us since our California Days. All are sleeping now, hopefully all will be well in the morning!

Conference Sunday

Conference was wonderful! It's kinda' crazy at our home, but we do usually get a few things out of it and then patiently wait till it's posted on-line or in the Ensign to get everything that we somehow missed.

Glenn and I were under the impression that it started at 10am... so, we missed the first hour. When we turned it on at 10am, I don't remember the speaker's name, but he spoke about having patience. He told the story about a Dad who owned a motorcycle business. That week a new shipment of the "hottest" bikes came in. They were all "lined up" neatly in the showroom. In comes his son to see Dad and decides to climb on the first bike in line... as you can imagine, as he's getting off to go see Dad, he accidentally knocks the bike in such a way that it causes a toppling effect (like Dominos). (It was nice that during this man's talk they showed pictures of the motorcycles and a little boy. The boys thought that was neat!)

RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT, I would have screamed at my boys, but I learned that is NOT the thing to do. Of course I know better, but it's just instinct in me. I need to change that. But this talk gave me hope that I can be forgiven and that I just need to take the time to be patient and calm.

It just seems that life can be so fast-paced. After the first session we headed off to see Ben's soccer game. Then, we came back just in time to eat a grilled cheese, get Emma and Chris to bed, and watch the 2nd session. (This time we were on time.)

We did something fun (besides play Legos and marbles). We taped the apostles and First Presidency's pictures onto the wall right below the TV. As each one spoke, we took turns and moved their pictures to the fireplace wall. It was fun to keep track of all the speakers. At first it seemed overwhelming (that's 15 people), but the time went quickly. We had no complaining either.

The 176th Conference was a success!