99 posts tagged “kids”

How old do you think children should be before they join social networks like Facebook and MySpace?

I think it depends on the child and the family.  We just let Cody join FB this summer at the age of 12.  The main reason was for him to keep in contact with his friends back in ND.  I'm on his friends' list so I can monitor all of his activity.  I think that's the real key - parents' monitoring what their child is doing online.  We went to a great lecture on social networking at the beginning of school and were told that FB is much safer than MySpace so that made me feel better.  I'm guessing we won't wait quite as long to let Jace to join.

Fumble:

1. I'm having 3 moles removed from my back next Monday.  I had 2 removed in college and my chiropractor suggested I have a few checked out at my last appt. before we moved.  I finally got around to it yesterday.  At first, the Dr. thought there were 2 that just needed watching but then she found one she didn't like under my bra strap.  If they're removing one, we might as well just get rid of all 3. 
2. Jace's flag football team got creamed last night. 
3. The Steelers lost on Sunday because Jeff Reed missed 2 field goals.  I could've understood missing one in the pouring rain but 2?!

Touchdown:

1. We're ordering our kitchen cabinets today or tomorrow.
2. The perfotaper finally arrived last night and began work today.  I'm hoping things will move along now!
3. The start of Fall TV programming.  I enjoyed DWTS and Castle last night. 
4. The kids are acclimating soooo well here.  I'm very happy and excited for them.
5. The 1st practice for my new kids' choir here was last Wednesday and I only had 6 kids (2 were mine).  When I scheduled it, I didn't realize it was an "early out" day for school.  The church program that is before my choir had less than half of the kids that attended the previous week so I'm hoping my attendance will be much better tomorrow.  I'd really like a minimum of 15 kids.
6. I went to my first handbell practice last week.  I've always wanted to learn to play.  It's harder than I thought but the others said I did amazing for my first time.

Look what the kids found in my parents' garage.

It's very sweet and tame but, unfortunately, I'm very allergic to cats.  I feel awful because Lily is my little animal lover but it would have to be me or the cat.  (She may just pick the cat).  My parents' cat died last winter but they don't want another one (even though it would be great for the mice).

She's been named Butterscotch.  Lily figures we could keep her in the attic with a fan.

What's kind of ironic is that my parents ended up with the last cat because I found it in our old garage when I came home from my first year of college.  I hope we can find a good home for her.

I can't wait to hear how their first day goes.  Lily's teacher seems very nice and there is 1 boy and 1 girl in her class that she knows.  We actually had Jace's teacher changed because the 3 boys he's become friends with were all in another class.  I'm so glad the principal and teacher were receptive to that.  It's a much larger class than he's used to, though.  At the middle school, only the 6th graders and transfer students attend today.  I think it's a brilliant idea for the kids to learn their way around without a lot of congestion.  They even go swimming at the end of the day!  Cody was very excited and up at 6:15.

 

 

My parents have a very unique house.  It has an indoor pool and part of it was once a health club so there's a large, open space with His & Her bathrooms that each have 2 showers.  The kids sleep in what was once the single-stall garage and we sleep outside their room in a TV / game room area.  In this area, there is a pop / beer fridge.  At one time, this fridge was in the house I grew up in.  I'm not sure what the original color was but my mom had it painted to make it kind of fun for when my brother was a teenager.

So, this fridge is probably going on 25 yrs or more and it makes this really loud noise like a plane about to take off twice per day.............at exactly 10:47 am and 10:47 pm.  How weird is that?  Ray and I never attempt to fall asleep before 10:47 pm because it'll just wake you up!

 

Our neighbors from Jamestown go to a family camp called Trail Ride at the Little Missouri River State Park every year. 

 

Its located just an hour from our lake cabin so they met us there for a day.  The kids weren't ready to be apart so Lily & Cody went with them and we kept their boy whose Jace's age.  We took the boys out fishing for a bit in the morning but didn't have any luck.  Then, we drove to the Trail Ride to trade kids and spend a little time.

I didn't expect my kids to be afraid of horses but they were pretty nervous.  Lily was practically crying here until I got the camera out and then she smiled. 

Jace was pretty tentative, too.

One of their favorite activities at Trail Ride is going to the mud pit on the Little Missouri River.

On the way back to the cabin, we saw a turtle sauntering down the road.  He got shy when we stopped for his picture.

 

We decided we weren't going to stay for the whole thing because of the fireworks out at the lake so we just left the kids with my parents and brother at the lake.

Friday night was a no-host social.  There was a good turnout and we got to see lots of people whom we hadn't seen in years.  I graduated 3 years behind Ray but have several classmates who graduated in that class so know lots of people.  I definitely thought there was more mingling than at the 10-year reunion.  Ray was most excited to see his buddy Chel who's about to retire from 20 years in the Navy (he's in the middle).  Joe, on the left, is Ray's best friend and Cody's godfather.   

This is Chel bench pressing Joe.

The class clown joined in.

We closed the bar out until 2 am.  I can't remember the last time I've done that! 

Saturday afternoon was a golf scramble.  It's the first time I've done a scramble and I was pretty nervous since I'm not a good golfer.  There were 16 people composing 4 teams and we took last.  Ten of us decided to keep going after the 1st 9 holes where my game didn't improve.  We had fun, though!

We weren't going to attend the banquet Saturday evening but Ray wanted to go for just a bit to see if anyone made it who wasn't there Friday night.  I'm glad we went so we got to see Chel in his Navy blues.

We snuck out before dinner started so we could get to the lake by dark for fireworks.

 

 

Yesterday, we were busy running around getting new cell phones set up, mailbox, and touring the schools.  The kids all seemed excited.  It's so strange having the kids go to the schools we went to.  We also spent time up at the new house which is AMAZING!!  All the exterior walls are done and most of the interior ones.  Lots of pictures to share on that front later. 

This morning, all 3 kids had Jr. Golf.  It's every Wed. morning.  Of course, each kid is in a different class:  Cody - 8 am, Jace - 9 am, and Lily - 10 am.  Our new house isn't too far from the Country Club so that won't be much of a drive but my mom's on the opposite corner of town.  I was really impressed with the instruction they received.  We're still trying to get unpacked and this afternoon all 3 kids have playdates!  Lily & Cody are each at the homes of 2 of my closest friends from h.s. and Jace's new friend from the lake is over here playing.

Sadly, the soccer tournament we were going to attend in Bismarck this weekend was cancelled.  I'm glad I didn't know about that before we got here because it was easier leaving knowing that we were going to see our closest friends in 5 days. 

It's been 4 1/2 months in the making but moving day has quickly arrived.  It's been a crazy week packing and spending time with friends.  On Friday, Cody and I had a golfing excursion with his good friend and his mom.  It was my first time out for the season and it was so nice to be golfing again!  Saturday evening, we played pinochle with Gndsgang.  I'm happy to say that the girls went out on top creaming the guys in all 3 games!  (We were due). 

Sunday was my last time singing with the AWE group at church.  The scheduled accompanist was a no show so we had 20 minutes to practice 8 songs with another accompanist who'd never seen some of the music.  I was so nervous about it that I hardly had time to be sad about it being my last day but things did go well and our family was remembered in the prayers.  We signed with a new realtor so prayers are welcomed on that front.  There were 3 soccer games during the afternoon and we were blessed with temps in the 80's plus a small rain shower.  Lily scored 3 goals. Cody scored one goal on a corner kick but his team lost right at the end 3-4.  Jace has had a fantastic season and finished strong.  His team won 7-3 with Jace making 4 of the goals, 2 of which were from half field!  I believe his team went undefeated.

We went to supper last night at Paradiso with Bluebird and family.  She gave the family a nice card and then one for me.  Of course, it made me cry.  The good news is we're letting the boys play with their competitive soccer teams for one tournament in Bismarck this weekend.  So, we'll see all of our closest friends in just 5 days which makes leaving much easier. 

I wasn't very excited about moving to Jamestown, ND, when we graduated from college.  ND was the state we always made fun of growing up on the MT/ND border.  However, I have grown to love ND and the people who live in it.  Our time here has been filled with memories that we'll cherish forever:  having 3 children, making wonderful friends, growing spiritually, directing 3 musical groups which I never thought I'd do, becoming a SAHM, Ray climbing the corporate ladder faster than anyone thought possible, and having our children attend Catholic school.  It's hard to say what we'll miss most about Jamestown (it won't be the blizzards) but I do know that this is definitely not goodbye.  There is too much here for us not to visit often and we'll be counting on our friends to come visit us, too! 

Montana, we're coming home!

Thumbs Down:

1. You know that cold I was complaining about 10 days ago?  Still here.  It's really weird because I have this loose cough but feel alright most of the time.  Then every few days, I start getting short of breath and need to have a breathing treatment.  Enough already!
2. Still no movement on our house.  I'm trying to decide what the next step should be.  We leave June 1 and will leave all the furniture since our new house won't be ready yet.  Our contract with the current realtor is up at the end of May so we're trying to decide if we should switch.  Aside from the 2 open houses, she has not shown the house once herself.  I'm wondering if we should paint over some of the purple, change the kitchen/dining flooring, get a new front door, lower the price, etc?
3. This afternoon is my last practice with the kids' choirs at church.  I wrote each of the kids a personal note and included some "I'm on God's team" tattoos.  We always conclude the year with a root beer float party.
4. I haven't updated on the flood lately mainly because nothing's changed.  The releases from the reservoirs are still at record levels and probably will be another 3 weeks.  The dikes and levees are holding.  Most of them are only made for 3 weeks and it'll be at least 2 months so I hope they can maintain.  The reservoir levels are finally dropping.  The biggest concern is the sewer system.  On an average day, 1.5 million gallons goes through it.  Since the flood started, the average is 6-7 million gallons per day.  For at least a week, 4 lift stations have been emptied into the river.  Yes, it is legal.  Apparently, with the amount of water in the river, the sewage is very diluted.  Regardless, I won't be going for a swim anytime soon.  Residents are being asked to conserve water.  (I've spent years trying to get the kids to always flush the toilet and now I'm telling them not to)!  I just hope the system doesn't fail before we're out of here! 

Thumbs Sideways:

1. 19 days until we leave.  We're at the point of lots of "lasts":  last choir practice, last day of confirmation, last hair appts, last massage, etc.  I've sent out most of our "change of address" updates.  Sad as all of these things are, I'm still excited about starting our new life back in MT.

Thumbs Up:

1. Progress on the new house is continuing.  The basement forms have taken a little longer than expected because of all the "jogs" the house has.  They hope to start pouring the walls today.
2. Ray mowed the lawn for the first time last night!
3. Friday, I'm making a quick trip to Fargo while the kids are at school.  I simply must have one more trip to The Children's Place before I'm forced to do all my shopping there online.
4. My aunt just sent these pictures from my grandpa's funeral reception. 
   

   Kids & Great Grandma