Littlest somehow changed the setting on the answering machine to spanish. And the handset battery has drained so phone is hopelessly lost. Don't bother calling.... :)
~Peace
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Bowling
Oldest’s preschool class takes a lot of field trips. They focus on social skills for young children and getting them out into the community is a big part of that. They recently went bowling. Neither my husband nor I co-op’d that day so we didn’t see him bowl. But last week while on Spring Break we took a trip to the bowling alley.
Oldest was very excited. He got a 6 lb. blue bowling ball and some bowling shoes. The lane bumpers were raised and he was ready to go. He understands how to hold the ball and the swinging motion, but having little fingers he used two hands to throw. Some of the throws were slightly overhand, but he managed to get the ball down the lane. He was patient waiting for his turn. All in all it was a fun experience. He even called some of my husband’s strikes.
Two games were played and oldest scores were 54 and 69 respectively. Not bad for a 4yr old.
~Peace
Oldest was very excited. He got a 6 lb. blue bowling ball and some bowling shoes. The lane bumpers were raised and he was ready to go. He understands how to hold the ball and the swinging motion, but having little fingers he used two hands to throw. Some of the throws were slightly overhand, but he managed to get the ball down the lane. He was patient waiting for his turn. All in all it was a fun experience. He even called some of my husband’s strikes.
Two games were played and oldest scores were 54 and 69 respectively. Not bad for a 4yr old.
~Peace
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Inspiration
A couple of years ago Jenny Crain visited my office to help do some training on Leadership. I was lucky enough to have lunch alone with her one day. I really liked her. We had a lot in common. We are both from Milwaukee and the same age. Her day job was that of a business coach. She helped people in my business set goals and achieve them. During that lunch I picked her brain on the coaching subject. She was my inspiration to go through my company’s Certified Coaching program. She encouraged me to go through the program and offered to be my coach through the process if they would let her. I successfully completed that over a year ago and now, on top of my other work duties, I spend some time each month with a couple of people helping them set goals and achieve them. Even though she wasn’t my Master Coach I appreciate her encouragement. I really enjoy the coaching that I do and hope to do more of it in the coming years.
Her other job was that of a runner. She ran competitively since high school and was training, at almost 40 years old, to qualify for the Beijing Olympics this summer. During a training run in the rain last August, Jenny was hit by a car. She survived, but has a serious brain injury in addition to other physical problems as a result of the accident. I have been watching her progress over the last 7 months at a blog her family has been updating. (www.jennycrain.net)
I ran 5 miles today and when I was eating lunch checked the blog. I read about her courage and strength, goals and setbacks, achievements and victories. Again I am inspired. Jenny, I dedicate my first half marathon to you. I hope I finish. But even if I don’t, I know that it is the journey that is the achievement and sometimes you have to redefine your goals.
~peace
Her other job was that of a runner. She ran competitively since high school and was training, at almost 40 years old, to qualify for the Beijing Olympics this summer. During a training run in the rain last August, Jenny was hit by a car. She survived, but has a serious brain injury in addition to other physical problems as a result of the accident. I have been watching her progress over the last 7 months at a blog her family has been updating. (www.jennycrain.net)
I ran 5 miles today and when I was eating lunch checked the blog. I read about her courage and strength, goals and setbacks, achievements and victories. Again I am inspired. Jenny, I dedicate my first half marathon to you. I hope I finish. But even if I don’t, I know that it is the journey that is the achievement and sometimes you have to redefine your goals.
~peace
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Boy Cookies
I offered Oldest a cookie today. He said no. He wanted a boy cookie. I asked what boy cookies were. He said we had them in the freezer. I look and we have grasshopper cookies in there. I ask him if that was what he wanted and he said yes, those were boy cookies.
I mention it to my husband and he chuckled. He bought some girl scout cookies the other day and told oldest that they were girl scout cookies. Oldest obviously thought that the cookies I offered him were for girls and in turn thought the grasshopper cookies were for boys.
~Peace
I mention it to my husband and he chuckled. He bought some girl scout cookies the other day and told oldest that they were girl scout cookies. Oldest obviously thought that the cookies I offered him were for girls and in turn thought the grasshopper cookies were for boys.
~Peace
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Keep them laughing
In my previous post I talked a little about our trip to San Francisco. Here's a bit about the actual trip home.
We got to the airport about 2 hours early, which is just about right since we had a car to return. Before we get there though we stop at REI to buy a small fold-up light-weight duffel bag. We always bring more home from a trip than we go with and our bag was just at weight when we left. Delta now charges $80 for an overweight bag. I think the $12 spent on the duffel was a good buy. Now if we can only remember to take it on all of our trips.
We drop off the car, get a SmarteCarte and load up and out. We proceed to the train that will take us to the terminal. Oldest sits in the very front window which looks out at the track below and pretends to be driving the train. Littlest must sit there too. Must do everything his big brother does.
We check in and of course the bag is 5.5 lbs overweight. Pull out the duffel. Gotta remember to pack that on the next trip. We go to security. Everyone gets through pretty easily. Where is the stroller? We left it on the other side. The TSA people were very nice. They folded it up, moved it through and and gave the boys Junior TSA sticker badges to wear. We go to look for food because it is now only 2pm and our flight doesn't leave until 3:30. Options are limited in the Delta terminal wing. Since San Francisco isn't a Delta hub we could choose from a sandwich joint and sit in the terminal and try to get the boys to sit still or go to the 1 restaurant, Perry's, and eat there. We decided on the restaurant. It was good and mostly relaxing.
The boys get antsy and need to run around. The terminal is about 100 feet long, not a lot of running around room. But the work on getting the wiggles out. Then comes the announcement. Maintenance problem with the aircraft. We are delayed. Luckily it was only about 1/2 hour. We get on the plane and the flight attendant hands them both cookies. As we are walking through 1st class, oldest announces that he is thirsty. I say, obviously loud enough for passengers to hear, that he will have to wait until after we take off and the beverage cart comes through because I forgot to get a bottle before we got on the plane. Some nice man in first class gives him his unopened bottle form 1st class. My kids are lucky they are so cute.
Actual time in the air was just fine. Boys watched a video and ate some snacks and behaved. The gentlemen in the row in front of us commented on how well they did. Hurray!
Finally we land. Everyone gets off the plane a little grumpily. We get to the baggage claim and all passengers are standing around waiting impatiently for their bags. Then it starts. The baggage claim turnstile starts to move and bags start to fall out and down onto the turnstile. Littlest starts laughing hysterically every time a bag falls. Everyone starts to notice and laugh with him. It was a classic moment. Thanks for cheering us all up!
Peace~
We got to the airport about 2 hours early, which is just about right since we had a car to return. Before we get there though we stop at REI to buy a small fold-up light-weight duffel bag. We always bring more home from a trip than we go with and our bag was just at weight when we left. Delta now charges $80 for an overweight bag. I think the $12 spent on the duffel was a good buy. Now if we can only remember to take it on all of our trips.
We drop off the car, get a SmarteCarte and load up and out. We proceed to the train that will take us to the terminal. Oldest sits in the very front window which looks out at the track below and pretends to be driving the train. Littlest must sit there too. Must do everything his big brother does.
We check in and of course the bag is 5.5 lbs overweight. Pull out the duffel. Gotta remember to pack that on the next trip. We go to security. Everyone gets through pretty easily. Where is the stroller? We left it on the other side. The TSA people were very nice. They folded it up, moved it through and and gave the boys Junior TSA sticker badges to wear. We go to look for food because it is now only 2pm and our flight doesn't leave until 3:30. Options are limited in the Delta terminal wing. Since San Francisco isn't a Delta hub we could choose from a sandwich joint and sit in the terminal and try to get the boys to sit still or go to the 1 restaurant, Perry's, and eat there. We decided on the restaurant. It was good and mostly relaxing.
The boys get antsy and need to run around. The terminal is about 100 feet long, not a lot of running around room. But the work on getting the wiggles out. Then comes the announcement. Maintenance problem with the aircraft. We are delayed. Luckily it was only about 1/2 hour. We get on the plane and the flight attendant hands them both cookies. As we are walking through 1st class, oldest announces that he is thirsty. I say, obviously loud enough for passengers to hear, that he will have to wait until after we take off and the beverage cart comes through because I forgot to get a bottle before we got on the plane. Some nice man in first class gives him his unopened bottle form 1st class. My kids are lucky they are so cute.
Actual time in the air was just fine. Boys watched a video and ate some snacks and behaved. The gentlemen in the row in front of us commented on how well they did. Hurray!
Finally we land. Everyone gets off the plane a little grumpily. We get to the baggage claim and all passengers are standing around waiting impatiently for their bags. Then it starts. The baggage claim turnstile starts to move and bags start to fall out and down onto the turnstile. Littlest starts laughing hysterically every time a bag falls. Everyone starts to notice and laugh with him. It was a classic moment. Thanks for cheering us all up!
Peace~
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I left my heart
We were on a trip last week. I had a conference to attend in San Francisco and the whole family came along. It was wonderful. We went to Muir Woods, a Redwood National Monument, north of the city. One word: Spectacular! There are some nice trails there and the boys hiked right along with Joe and I. We went about 2 1/2 miles and the 4yr old walked the entire way. Even more amazing is that the not quite 2yr old walked half of it.
My family did some fun things without me while I was in meetings. They went to a maritime kids museum and watched some surfers near the Golden Gate Bridge. As a family we road the Powell Street Trolley car to the Wharf, went to Pier 39 and had lunch. Ice cream at Ghiradelli Square.
We had dinner with my aunt and uncle who live in San Francisco. They are both deaf and are such interesting people. My aunt can hear a little so we are able to communicate by speaking. My uncle is completely deaf and my husband spent time writing notes back and forth. Perhaps I will talk more about them in a future post. At dinner the boys did very well. We went to probably the nicest restaurant the boys have ever been too. It was enjoyable.
The trip ended with a sojourn to Monterey. We stayed at a hotel right on the beach. 4yr old and I collected sea shells and he made friends with another family who was on vacation too. 4yr old and their 5yr old splashed in the waves. The water was freezing, but it didn't bother them. Hot baths were in order that evening.
Our visit to the Aquarium was nice. We were about 2 weeks early for the opening of their new Splash Zone exhibit specifically for kids, but had fun nonetheless. 4yr old makes fiends everywhere and found some kids "just his size" to have fun with. Almost 2 yr old had fund trying to pick up the starfish in the touching pools. Boys!
All in all, trip was great. No major problems and well-behaved kids! I think the whole family feels refreshed. Now it's time to get back to work.
~Peace
My family did some fun things without me while I was in meetings. They went to a maritime kids museum and watched some surfers near the Golden Gate Bridge. As a family we road the Powell Street Trolley car to the Wharf, went to Pier 39 and had lunch. Ice cream at Ghiradelli Square.
We had dinner with my aunt and uncle who live in San Francisco. They are both deaf and are such interesting people. My aunt can hear a little so we are able to communicate by speaking. My uncle is completely deaf and my husband spent time writing notes back and forth. Perhaps I will talk more about them in a future post. At dinner the boys did very well. We went to probably the nicest restaurant the boys have ever been too. It was enjoyable.
The trip ended with a sojourn to Monterey. We stayed at a hotel right on the beach. 4yr old and I collected sea shells and he made friends with another family who was on vacation too. 4yr old and their 5yr old splashed in the waves. The water was freezing, but it didn't bother them. Hot baths were in order that evening.
Our visit to the Aquarium was nice. We were about 2 weeks early for the opening of their new Splash Zone exhibit specifically for kids, but had fun nonetheless. 4yr old makes fiends everywhere and found some kids "just his size" to have fun with. Almost 2 yr old had fund trying to pick up the starfish in the touching pools. Boys!
All in all, trip was great. No major problems and well-behaved kids! I think the whole family feels refreshed. Now it's time to get back to work.
~Peace
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